This thesis explains the historical origins of the anti-nuclear protest group, the American Peace Test (APT), which has focused its activities at the Nevada Test Site. This study concludes that interest in direct action was evident during the 1983-1984 Direct Action Framework Period within the Nuclear Weapons FREEZE Campaign. This interest became more tangible with a call to the Nevada Desert Experience (NDE) group in May of 1985 requesting to participate in an action. That interest was then amplified and validated at that August NDE action. The first APT action was then organized for October and November. At the Annual FREEZE Conference, within the momentum of the October action, those interested decided to form their own group. Official formation occurred in January of 1986. The concluding chapter contains a summary of themes found in these origins and information relative to post-formation APT
