The Emergence of the Preparedness Movement in the United States
Concept Map
The Preparedness movement in the U.S., gaining traction after the Lusitania sinking in 1915, pushed for military enhancement in anticipation of WWI. Key figures like Theodore Roosevelt and General Leonard Wood led the charge, advocating for universal military training and stronger defense capabilities. Despite Democratic resistance and public skepticism, the movement influenced national defense policy and contributed to America's eventual entry into the war in 1917.
Summary
Outline
The Emergence of the Preparedness Movement in the United States
The Preparedness movement in the United States gained momentum as World War I unfolded, particularly after the sinking of the RMS Lusitania in 1915, which intensified anti-German sentiment. This movement, which was especially strong in Eastern cities, advocated for the immediate enhancement of the nation's military capabilities in anticipation of potential involvement in the conflict. Prominent figures such as General Leonard Wood, former President Theodore Roosevelt, and ex-secretaries of war Elihu Root and Henry Stimson were at the forefront of this movement. Supported by influential bankers, industrialists, and other elite members of society, they formed a foreign policy group that favored closer ties with Britain and a more internationalist approach to foreign affairs.The Principles and Promotion of Military Preparedness
The Preparedness movement was rooted in a realist worldview that emphasized the importance of economic and military power. Its advocates pointed out the relative weakness of the U.S. military, especially when compared to the formidable German army, and proposed universal military training (UMT) for young men to bolster the nation's defense capabilities. Despite their efforts, the movement faced significant public resistance to such extensive militarization. Additionally, the movement criticized the National Guard for its perceived inefficiencies and politicization, although the Guard was an important institution in some northern states for integrating African American men.Democratic Resistance to the Preparedness Movement
The Democratic Party, which controlled Congress and the presidency under Woodrow Wilson, viewed the Preparedness movement with suspicion, seeing it as a potential Republican political advantage. The Democrats, who favored localism and the National Guard, opposed the movement's initiatives. Despite military leaders' warnings about the inadequacies of the U.S. military, the Democrats sought to limit military expenditures. However, the Preparedness movement gained traction following the Lusitania incident, which led to increased military spending and a commitment to a long-term naval expansion program.National Discourse and Compromise on Military Preparedness
The national debate over military preparedness reached a climax with Secretary of War Lindley Garrison's controversial proposal for a federal reserve force and a reduced role for the National Guard. This proposal was met with widespread opposition, including from the Progressive movement's liberal wing, which suspected economic motives behind the push for increased military readiness. President Wilson, facing this opposition, appointed Newton Baker, a known critic of preparedness, as Garrison's successor. A compromise was eventually reached in May 1916, which allowed for modest increases in the Army and National Guard but did not meet the full demands of the Preparedness advocates, leaving the U.S. military less robust than they had hoped.America's Entry into World War I
Despite the Preparedness movement's influence, the United States remained largely uninvolved in World War I's combat until 1917. The resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany and the revelation of the Zimmermann Telegram, which suggested a German-Mexican alliance against the United States, shifted American public opinion. These events, coupled with the sinking of American merchant ships, compelled President Wilson to request a declaration of war from Congress, which was granted on April 6, 1917. The U.S. also recognized the Russian Provisional Government and saw the war as an opportunity to shape the post-war international order, in line with Wilson's vision for America's role in the world.Mobilization of the American Home Front During World War I
The American home front experienced an extensive mobilization to support the war effort, including the production of soldiers, food, munitions, and finances. Agencies such as the United States Food Administration, led by Herbert Hoover, encouraged food conservation and the cultivation of victory gardens. The government raised funds through increased taxes and war bond campaigns, generating significant revenue. The labor movement, represented by the American Federation of Labor, supported the war by minimizing strikes and advocating for arbitration, which led to wage increases due to high employment levels. The establishment of the National War Labor Board helped mediate labor disputes, and the AFL's participation in the Council of National Defense influenced wartime labor policy.
Show More
Background and Context
World War I
The Preparedness movement gained momentum during World War I, particularly after the sinking of the RMS Lusitania in 1915
Anti-German Sentiment
The sinking of the RMS Lusitania intensified anti-German sentiment in the United States
Prominent Figures
General Leonard Wood, former President Theodore Roosevelt, and ex-secretaries of war Elihu Root and Henry Stimson were key figures in the Preparedness movement
Principles and Promotion of Military Preparedness
Realist Worldview
The Preparedness movement was rooted in a realist worldview that emphasized the importance of economic and military power
Universal Military Training
The movement proposed universal military training for young men to strengthen the nation's defense capabilities
Criticism of the National Guard
The Preparedness movement criticized the National Guard for its perceived inefficiencies and politicization
Democratic Resistance to the Preparedness Movement
Suspicion from the Democratic Party
The Democratic Party viewed the Preparedness movement with suspicion, seeing it as a potential Republican political advantage
Opposition to Initiatives
The Democrats, who favored localism and the National Guard, opposed the Preparedness movement's initiatives
Limiting Military Expenditures
Despite warnings about the inadequacies of the U.S. military, the Democrats sought to limit military expenditures
National Discourse and Compromise on Military Preparedness
Controversial Proposal from Secretary of War
Secretary of War Lindley Garrison's proposal for a federal reserve force and reduced role for the National Guard was met with widespread opposition
Opposition from Progressive Movement
The Progressive movement's liberal wing suspected economic motives behind the push for increased military readiness
Compromise and Outcome
A compromise was eventually reached, resulting in modest increases in the Army and National Guard but not meeting the full demands of the Preparedness advocates
The Emergence of the Preparedness Movement in the United States
Learn with Algor Education flashcards
Click on each Card to learn more about the topic
00
Significance of RMS Lusitania sinking for Preparedness movement
Sinking in 1915 escalated anti-German sentiment, bolstering Preparedness advocacy for U.S. military readiness.
01
Geographic stronghold of Preparedness movement
Movement had strong support in Eastern U.S. cities, influencing national defense policy.
02
Socioeconomic backers of Preparedness movement
Bankers, industrialists, and elite society members funded and supported Preparedness, favoring internationalism and UK ties.
