[1] Liberation was founded, published, and edited by David Dellinger, Bayard Rustin, Sidney Lens, Roy Finch, and A. J. Muste[2] out of New York City[3][4] and Glen Gardner, New Jersey.

[9] David Dellinger's support of the Cuban Castro regime caused a rift at the magazine, with philosophy professor Roy Finch resigning as an editor.

[10] Editorially, Liberation supported the Cuban Revolution, and published C. Wright Mills' article "Listen, Yankee!

[12] The magazine supported Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR) organizers, and its editorial offices at times served as a clearinghouse for activists conducting non-violent resistance.

[16][17] Liberation, together with Dissent, anticipated changes in the 1950s American political left, such as the early civil rights movement and nonviolent protest.