Compelling Policy Question: When is war justified?

Policy Case Study: S.J.R. 1 Declaring that a State of War Exists between the Imperial German Government and the Government of the United States

Whereas the Imperial German Government has committed repeated acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America : Therefore be it Resolved

That the state of war between the United States and the Imperial German Government which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared ; and that the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial German Government; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States.

Historical Context of S.J.R.1:

One June 28, 1914 Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary is assassinated by Serbian National. This results in Austria-Hungary preparing for war with Serbia. In response Russia, who was Serbia's ally, mobilizes to aid Serbia. In August of 1914 Germany, who was Austria-Hungary's ally, declares war on Russia and France. The Germans march through Belgium to attack France. As a result of the other alliances in Europe, Bulgaria and Turkey join Germany and Austria-Hungary in the Central Powers, and France, England, Russia join the Allied Powers. At this point in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson states the U.S. will remain neutral (not join the war).

On February 15, 1915 Germany declares the waters around the British Isles a war zone. Warns all ships they may be attacked by u-boats. Wilson responds by saying Germany will be accountable for American deaths. On May 7, 1915 The British ship the Lusitania is sunk by a German U-boat. 1,198 people die, 128 of them are American.

In November of 1916 President Woodrow Wilson is re-elected after campaigning under the slogan “He kept us out of the war”.

February 1917 German Foreign minister Zimmerman sent an encrypted telegram to Mexico, asking them to join Germany in war against the U.S.. In return Mexico will get back territory lost to U.S. in the Mexican American War (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California). The British decode the telegram and send it to the Untied States.

Section One Supporting Question - What reasons do some people give to Justify the United States following a Hawkish military policy?

On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson delivered a speech to Congress during which he said...

(excerpts/link to original)

In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson had recommended the United States stay out of the war raging in Europe. In 1916 he was reelected President after campaigning on having "Kept us out of the War". Wilson's biography

*Picture below is of Wilson delivering his speech to Congress

Vessels of every kind, whatever their flag, their character, their cargo, their destination, their errand, have been ruthlessly sent to the bottom…. Property can be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent people cannot be. The present German submarine warfare against commerce is a warfare against mankind.

It is a war against all nations. American ships have been sunk, American lives taken….

….

Neutrality is no longer feasible or desirable where the peace of the world is involved and the freedom of its peoples … [T]he menace to that peace and freedom lies in the existence of autocratic governments...

….

We are glad, now … to fight thus for the ultimate peace of the world and … for the rights of nations great and small and the privilege of men everywhere to choose their way of life and of obedience. The world must be made safe for democracy.

….

It is a distressing and oppressive duty, Gentlemen of the Congress … to lead this great peaceful people into war….

[T]he day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other.

In 1916 Jack Glogau, and George Graff, Jr. wrote a song titled "Wake Up, America!"

(audio to the song)

Lyrics are below the image of the cover of the music sheet.

Have we forgotten, America,

The battles our fathers fought?

Are we ashamed of our history

In the peace that fighting brought?

Must we be laughed at, America,

while our swords turn weak with rust?

Is the blood of our fathers wasted?

And how have we treated their trust?

Is Columbia the gem of the ocean?

Is Old Glory the pride of the Free?

Let's forget ev'ry selfish emotion,

United for ever let's be!

[Chorus]

Wake up, America, If we are called to war,

Are we prepared to give our lives

For our sweethearts and our wives?

Are our mothers and our homes worth fighting for?

Let us pray, God, for peace, but peace with honor,

But let's get ready to answer duty's call,

So when Old Glory stands unfurled,

Let it mean to all the word,

America is ready, that's all!

Do you remember George Washington,

That winter at Valley Forge?

Jackson and Custer and faragut,

And of Perry at Fort George?

Mc Kinley and Lincoln were fighting men,

and the heroes our country knew,

Simply crowd thru our hist'ry pages,

Just think what they've done all for you!

Made Columbia the gem of the ocean,

Made Old Glory the pride of the Free,

Shall we fail in our test of devotion?

Oh! what is our hist'ry to be?

Telegram from Walter Hines Page to William Jennings Bryan, May 8, 1915, (modified/link to original)

Page was the American Ambassador to Great Britain, and Bryan was the United States Secretary of State

The English think the Germans are reckless. The sinking of the Lusitania, the use of poisonous gas, the poisoning of wells, and the torpedoing of neutral ships, the English believe the Germans are not following war regulations, or rules of humanity, as well as of any consideration for neutrals. Sir Edward Grey said to me last night, “They are running amuck.” It is war under the black flag.

The British feel that the United States must declare war or lose European’s respect. If the United States comes in, the moral and physical effect will bring peace quickly and to give the United States a great influence in ending the war and in reorganizing the world to prevent another war. If the United States submits to German disregard of her citizens’ lives and of her property and of her neutral rights on the sea, the United States will have no voice or influence in settling the war nor in what follows in the future.

North American Review, War Is “a Blessing, Not a Curse”: The Case for Why We Must Fight "For Freedom and Democracy", 1917 (modified/link to original)

Shall we wait while the madman of Prussia breaks treaties, tells lies, commits murders and the most barbaric acts against humanity in history?

The issue is in doubt no longer. We know now what this war is. It is the last of the great battles for Freedom and Democracy.

We are for war; for these reasons:

1. Because we have reached and passed the limit of forgiving and trying to maintain peaceful relations with a barbaric brute. He has caused treasonable activities and damnable outrages within our borders, has killed our innocent citizens of both sexes and all ages upon the high seas, he has lied to our leaders; because out of self-respect we must fight or lose the respect all mankind; because we cannot allow the breaking of treaties, the burning villages, the violating of women and young girls, the bayoneting of little children, the slaughter of thousands of helpless Christians in Armenia; because, we cannot acknowledge the supremacy of might over right without denying our faith in the living God.

2. Because we owe it to our forefathers who founded the Republic and to our fathers who saved the Union to prove ourselves fearless in support of free life and full liberty the world over; because if spies and traitors are in our land now is the time to find them; because we need a test— to make sure America is fit for any real emergency. In such a case, war is curative, not destructive, a blessing not a curse.

3. Because our going into the great conflict would not only complete the ring of democracies around the doomed autocracy and, by shortening and then ending the war we would save millions of lives.

New York Herald published a cartoon on November 28, 1915 by William Allen Rogers titled, “Well What Are You Going to Do About It?”

Details of Roger's cartoon:

"On May seventh, one of the little lost children of the Lusitania" on painting. "Lusitania conversation at a deadlock, Germany refuses to disavow, etc., etc. von Bernstorff" on paper.

F.M, Watson, Are You With Me Fellows.

New York Tribune, “Rape of Belgium”, Nov. 5, 1917

Lynd, J. Norman, “Stop Him”, The Colonial Press, 1917

Explanation of "Stop Him" - William II portrayed as a fierce gorilla reaching across ocean from Europe to the U.S. for figure of liberty and clutching another female figure.

A church, military vehicles, weapons, and rubble are in background.

James Montgomery Flagg, Wake Up, America! 1917.

Fred Spear, "Enlist", Boston Committee of Public Safety, June 1915

Lucien Métivet, BULLETIN DE VICTOIRE, French magazine Le Rire Rouge, May, 22 1915

The Zimmerman Telegram.

This telegram was written by German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann. It was a coded message sent to Mexico, proposing a military alliance against the United States. It was intercepted by the British, who shared it with the United States.

Below the coded telegram is a translation

Some Promise

Clifford Kennedy Berryman, 1917

Section Two Supporting Question - What reasons do some people give to Justify the United States following a Dovish military policy?

A Republican Senator from Wisconsin named Robert M. LaFollette responded to Wilson’s War Message in 1917 by saying...

(modified/link to original)

LaFollette's biography

It is important for us to speak out when the question is one of peace or war, certain to involve the lives and fortunes of our people and, it may be, the destiny of all of the civilized world as well.

Millions are suffering from want; millions are dead and rotting on foreign battlefields; millions are crippled and maimed, blinded, and dismembered. Their children’s children for generations to come has been laid a burden of debt which will cause poverty and suffering. We are pledged by the President, to make our fair, free, and happy land the bottomless pit of horror that we see in Europe today

The President’s says this is a war “for the things which we have always carried nearest to our hearts—for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own government.”

This war is being forced upon our people without their knowing why and without their approval. The forcible military measures which coming out of the war machine in this country is the complete proof that those responsible for this war fear that it has no popular support and that armies sufficient to satisfy the demand of the Entente Allies cannot be recruited by voluntary enlistments.

The poor, Sir, who are the ones called upon to rot in the trenches.

William Jennings Bryan wrote an article titled “A Few War Facts” in his newspaper "The Commoner" on August 01, 1915. In his article he said...

(modified)

Bryan was Wilson’s Secretary of State, but he was unhappy with how Wilson handled the Lusitania sinking. He resigned on June 9, 1915. His biography

TWENTY-ONE MILLION soldiers are engaged in the unparalleled war now raging in Europe: what will be our quota if we are foolish enough to enter into it?

More than TWO MILLION men have been killed thus far. What will be our toll if we take part? Over FIVE MILLIONS Wounded. What will be our share if we become a participant?

The nations at war are now spending FOUR HUNDRED MILLION dollars per week—more than TWENTY BILLIONS per year—what will our expenditures be? Before we decide to “go in” “at any cost” let some of the advocates of war give us an estimate.

We are a great nation and cannot be stingy with blood or money if we cast in our lot with the belligerents. And what it to be gained by war…Those who talk war misrepresent the wishes of the people. You can no more measure the sentiment of the masses by the froth of the jingo press than you can measure the ocean’s silent depths by the foam upon its waves.

W.J. Bryan

President Woodrow Wilson Speech to Congress August 19, 1914 (modified/link to original)

The people of the United States come from many nations, and mainly from the nations now at war. It is natural and inevitable that some will wish one nation, others another, to succeed in the momentous struggle. Such divisions among us would be fatal to our peace of mind and might seriously stand in the way of our duty as the one great nation at peace, the one nation ready to play a part of mediator and counselor of peace.

The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men's souls. We must be impartial in thought, as well as action.

President Woodrow Wilson, Address to Naturalized Citizens at Convention Hall, Philadelphia, May 10, 1915. (modified/link to original)

The example of America must be a special example. The example of America must be the example not merely of peace because it will not fight, but of peace because peace is the healing and elevating influence of the world and strife is not. There is such a thing as a man being so right it does not need to convince others by force that it is right.

In 1915, a group of Women established the "Women's Peace Party", and in their Preamble they wrote...

(modified/link to original)

"We women of the United States, assembled in behalf of World Peace, grateful for the security of our own country, but sorrowing for the misery of all involved in the present struggle among warring nations, do hereby band ourselves together to demand that war be abolished.

As women, we are particularly charged with the future of childhood and with the care of the helpless and the unfortunate.

We will no longer endure without protest that added burden of maimed and invalided men and poverty-stricken widows and orphans which was placed upon us. We demand that women be given a share in deciding between war and peace in all the courts of high debate - within the home, the school, the church, the industrial order and the state. So protesting and so demanding, we hereby form ourselves into a national organization to be called the Woman's Peace Party."

Resolution of the Seattle Central Labor Council, 1914 (modified/link to original)

Whereas, the appalling loss of life from the War will fall with crushing force on the working class alone, while the kings, capitalists, and aristocrats remain in safety, and

Whereas, no possible outcome of such an international war can benefit the workers, whose enemies are not the workers of other nations, but the exploiting class of every nation.

Therefore, as representatives of the organized working class, we declare the European war to be an international crime and a horror for which there is no parallel in savagery.

To all those workers of Europe who have resisted the war craze we extend our sympathy and respect, and we pledge our efforts against any attempt to draw our own country into a foreign war.

Industrial Workers of the World, Anti-war resolution, 1916 (modified/link to original)

With the European war for conquest and exploitation raging and destroying our lives, We openly declare ourselves opponents of all nationalistic sectionalism, or patriotism, and the militarism preached and supported by our one enemy, the capitalist class.

We condemn all wars, and for the prevention of such, we proclaim the anti-militaristic propaganda in time of peace, thus promoting class solidarity among the workers of the entire world, and, in time of war, the general strike, in all industries.

We extend assurances of both moral and material support to all workers who suffer at the hands of the capitalist class for their adherence to these principles, and call on all workers to unite themselves with us, that the reign of the exploiters may cease, and this earth be made fair through the establishment of industrial democracy.

German Appeal to Americans Issued by an Imposing Committee of Leading German Statesmen, Scholars, Bankers and Merchants, 1914 (modified/original)

Listen, All Ye People to what we are going through! A few weeks ago we were peacefully doing our jobs. Not one of us dreamed of war. We are a nation that wishes to lead a quiet life. Our love of peace is strong. Since the start of the German Empire in 1871, we have been an example of peace. We have produced great philosophers and poets, we have preached the gospel of humanity. Do you believe we have changed, that our souls can be satisfied with military drill and obedience?

We are soldiers because we have to be soldiers, because otherwise Germany would be swept from the face of the earth. And we must follow our Kaiser, because he represents our nation. We rally around him, willing to shed the last drop of our blood.

It upsets us to see two highly civilized nations, England and France, joining Russia. There was no cause for war between Western Europe and us, no reason why they should help the Czar.

Why would the Czar not let Austria stop the Serbian revolution? Should Austria just have to see her prince murdered?

Russia should leave the rest of the world in peace. Do not believe the mischievous lies that our enemies are spreading!

We do not know if victory will be ours, the Lord only knows. We have not chosen our path, but we must do our duty to the end. We face the misery of war, the death of our sons, believing in our duty to Germany. Germany cannot be wiped from the face of the earth.

In 1915, songwriter Irving Berlin wrote, "Stay Down Here where you belong".

(Audio of the song)

The lyrics of “Stay Down Here where you belong” are a conversation between the devil and his son – the devil wants the son to “stay down here where you belong” because people on Earth do not know right from wrong. His son wants to go ‘up above, up above’

Down below, down below

Caught the devil talking to his son

Who wanted to go up above, up above

He cried, "It's getting to warm for me down here and so,

I'm going up to Earth where I can have a little fun."

The devil slowly smiled and then he answered his son

[Chorus:]

"Stay down here where you belong

The folks who live above you don't know right from wrong

To please their king, they've all gone out to war

And not one of them knows what he's fighting for

Way up above they say that I'm a devil and I'm bad

Kings up there are bigger devils than your dad

Breaking the hearts of mothers, making butchers of their brothers

You'll find more heat up there than there is down below"

"Kings up there, they don't care

For the mothers who must stay at home, their troubles to bear

Stay at home, don't you roam

Although it's warm down here, it's warmer up there

If you go way up there, my son, I know you'll be surprised

You'll find a lot of people who are not civilized"

Alfred Bryan and Al Piantadosi, “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier”, 1915

Lyrics are under the songbook cover

(Audio recording of the song)

Ten million soldiers to the war have gone,

Who may never return again.

Ten million mothers' hearts must break,

For the ones who died in vain.

Head bowed down in sorrow in her lonely years,

I heard a mother murmur thro' her tears:

Chorus:

I didn’t raise my boy to be a soldier,

I brought him up to be my pride and joy,

Who dares to put a musket on his shoulder,

To shoot some other mother’s darling boy?

Let nations arbitrate their future troubles,

It’s time to lay the sword and gun away,

There’d be no war today,

If mothers all would say,

I didn’t raise my boy to be a soldier.

(Chorus)

What victory can cheer a mother’s heart,

When she looks at her blighted home?

What victory can bring her back,

All she cared to call her own?

Let each mother answer in the year to be,

Remember that my boy belongs to me!

(Chorus)

George W. Norris (R)Nebraska, Opposition to Wilson’s War Message, 1917 (modified/link to original)

Norris' biography

To whom does war bring prosperity?

Not to the soldier who is given only $16 per month to shoulder his musket and go into the trench, there to shed his blood and to die if necessary;

Not to the broken hearted widow who waits for the return of the mangled body of her husband;

Not to the mother who weeps at the death of her brave boy;

Not to the little children who shiver with cold;

Not to the babe who suffers from hunger.

War brings no prosperity to the great mass of common and patriotic citizens.

It increases the cost of living of those who toil and those who

already must strain every effort to keep soul and body together.

William Gropper. Fat man with telescope standing on a mound of skulls

M.A. Kempf, Come on in, America, the Blood's Fine! The Masses, June 1917

Three women (England, France and Germany) being embraced by War in a sea of blood and corpses.

A Suffragette named Virginia Arnold protesting for a Woman’s right to vote holds a sign outside the White House. 1917

Oscar Cesare, 'May the Sparks Never Reach It!', The Sun newspaper from New York, 1915

Winsor McCay, His Best Customer, 1917

John Sloan, After the War a Medal and Maybe a Job, 1914

Library of Congress Summary: Cartoon drawing shows a World War I veteran walking on his hands, dragging his entrails behind him. He approaches a fat capitalist, who sits on a chair and leans over to give him a medal for his service as a soldier.

Art Young, “Looking for Peace”, The Masses, December 1915

Charles Henry "Bill" Sykes, "He Won't Be Happy till He Gets It" Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger, 1917

The revolver says “War Measures” on the barrel, and “Public Patience” on the chamber.

Industrial Workers of the World Cartoon

BIG BUSINESS (to Labor, generously): "My good fellow, you'll be well paid for your patriotic action in tending this glorious plant; you shall have all the fruit above the ground--I'll take ONLY the roots!". Roots are labeled profits, fruits labeled: desair, debt, pain, want "honor and glory", death, disability, insanity, ruin

William Allen Rogers, Watch your step, 1914

What were the results of the debate?

Congress passed S.J.R.1, declaring war on Germany on April 6, 1917, entering the United States into World War One. American soldiers first arrived in Europe in June of 1917. By the time Germany signed the Armistice on November 11, 1918, the United States had sustained an estimated 360,000 casualties in the First World War, including 126,000 killed in action and 234,000 wounded.