Einstein was a pacifist who made lifelong efforts to stop war. In October 1914, ninety-three famous German scientists, scholars, and artists signed the Fulda Manifesto or the Manifesto of the Ninety-Three to show their support of German military actions in the First World War.
Even Einstein’s friend Fritz Haber signed the Fulda Manifesto. Though he was a German citizen at the time, Einstein refused to support his country’s military actions and boldly signed a counter-manifesto. This counter manifesto called for an end to war and the formation of a united Europe. Unfortunately, it only had four signatories.
Einstein reached Berlin to accept an appointment to the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute of Physics in April 1914. The war had not reached Berlin at this time. Einstein strongly criticized the role of Germany in the war.
Einstein signed a public letter condemning Germany’s stand in the war. The 1920s was a period when Einstein made campaigns to end war, to do away with weapons and give importance to international peace.
His anti-war efforts continued for the rest of his life.
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