Vegetarian Federal Union facts for kids
The Vegetarian Federal Union (VFU) was a group in Britain that supported vegetarianism. It started in 1889 and continued its work until 1911. This organization aimed to connect different vegetarian groups across the country and even around the world.
What Was the Vegetarian Federal Union?
The Vegetarian Federal Union, or VFU, was a British organization. Its main goal was to promote and support vegetarian eating. It brought together many smaller vegetarian societies. The VFU worked for over 20 years, helping to spread the idea of a meat-free diet.
How the VFU Started
In July 1889, some people from the London Vegetarian Society had a meeting. They wanted to create a bigger group to unite all British vegetarian societies. Their first idea was to form a "Vegetarian Union" just for Britain. Each smaller society would have votes based on how many members it had.
Later that year, something big happened in Germany. There was an international meeting for vegetarians in Cologne. This meeting inspired the group to think even bigger. They decided to try and create a worldwide union of vegetarian societies.
The Vegetarian Federal Union officially began at a meeting on October 1, 1889. Important leaders were chosen to guide the new organization. Arnold F. Hills from the London Vegetarian Society became the Chairman. W. E. A. Axon was the Vice-Chairman, and Josiah Oldfield served as the secretary.
The VFU's Legacy
The Vegetarian Federal Union was a very important step. It helped connect vegetarian groups and ideas across different countries. In 1908, a new, even larger organization took its place. This new group was called the International Vegetarian Union. It continued the VFU's work on a global scale.
