Preparedness Movement

Preparedness Movement
Pre-World War I campaign to increase U.S. military capabilities and convince the public of the need for U.S. involvement in a future European conflict.

Leaders such as Theodore Roosevelt and Gen. Leonard Wood sought to persuade Pres. Woodrow Wilson to strengthen U.S. national defenses, and various organizations sponsored preparedness parades to build public awareness and support. The campaign resulted in passage of the National Defense Act (1916); the U.S. entered World War I the following year.

* * *

▪ United States history
      in U.S. history, a campaign prior to U.S. entry into World War I (April 1917) to increase U.S. military capabilities and to convince the U.S. citizenry of the need for American involvement in the conflict. Almost immediately after the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, a small number of Americans—former president Theodore Roosevelt (Roosevelt, Theodore) being among the most prominent—sought to persuade the Wilson (Wilson, Woodrow) administration and the population at large that the nation must prepare itself for war. The fate of occupied Belgium served as an example of what could happen to an unprepared nation. Roosevelt wrote two books on the subject, America and the World War (1915) and Fear God and Take Your Own Part (1916), that helped popularize the Preparedness Movement.

      Joining Roosevelt was Gen. Leonard Wood (Wood, Leonard), who backed the “Plattsburg Idea”—a summer training camp for potential officers at Plattsburg, N.Y., where business and professional men were drilled in military fundamentals. Both Roosevelt and Wood favoured universal conscription, and they publicly criticized Wilson's opposition to a large standing army and his advocacy of unarmed neutrality.

      Organizations such as the National Security League, American Defense Society, League to Enforce Peace, and American Rights Committee sponsored preparedness parades and sought to pressure Wilson into strengthening national defenses. Initially, however, Wilson was unmoved by—and even hostile to—the preparedness advocates. Not until German submarine attacks and especially the sinking of the “Lusitania” (May 7, 1915) did the administration begin to favour an increase in armaments. With passage of the National Defense Act (June 3, 1916) and a subsequent naval appropriations measure authorizing an enormous increase in U.S. armed forces, the Preparedness Movement became largely superfluous. It disappeared when mobilization began in earnest following U.S. entry into the war.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Preparedness Movement — The Preparedness Movement was a campaign led by Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt to strengthen the military of the United States after the outbreak of World War I. Roosevelt wrote two books, America and the World War , and Fear God and Take… …   Wikipedia

  • preparedness movement — n. A movement that encourages people to always be prepared for emergencies caused by natural or technological disasters. Example Citation: The Connecticut based GartnerGroup, recently said 90 percent of millennium bug problems should be corrected …   New words

  • Preparedness — refers to the state of being prepared for specific or unpredictable events or situations. Preparedness is an important quality in achieving goals and in avoiding and mitigating negative outcomes. It is a major phase of emergency management, and… …   Wikipedia

  • movement — /moohv meuhnt/, n. 1. the act, process, or result of moving. 2. a particular manner or style of moving. 3. Usually, movements. actions or activities, as of a person or a body of persons. 4. Mil., Naval. a change of position or location of troops… …   Universalium

  • Preparedness Day Bombing — The Preparedness Day Bombing was a bombing in San Francisco, California on July 22, 1916 when the city held a parade in honor of Preparedness Day, in anticipation of entering World War I. During the parade a suitcase bomb was detonated, killing… …   Wikipedia

  • Movement for unification of Romania and Moldova — [ Romanian Moldovan state as advocated by the Unionist Movement.] A movement for the unification of Romania and Moldova began in both countries after the 1989 Romanian Revolution and the glasnost policy in the Soviet Union. Individuals who are… …   Wikipedia

  • Preparedness controversy — The Preparedness controversy was a brief frenzy of great public concern in the United States over the state of preparation of the United States military.President Woodrow Wilson at the time originally opposed the movement. By 1915 1916,… …   Wikipedia

  • Emblems of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement — The emblems of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, under the Geneva Conventions, are to be placed on humanitarian and medical vehicles and buildings to protect them from military attack on the battlefield. There are four such… …   Wikipedia

  • Disaster Preparedness and Response Team — The Disaster Preparedness and Response Team is a non governmental organisation (NGO) established in Pakistan in November 2005 following the Pakistan Quake. However it was not registered as a voluntary agency until 2006[1]. It is composed of… …   Wikipedia

  • International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement — Red Cross redirects here. For other uses, see Red Cross (disambiguation). Ibrahim Foundation The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, the symbols from which the movement derives its name. Founded 1863 Location Gen …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”