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Chapter 8: Resisting Militarism
In fact, there's been strong opposition to foreign military adventures
since the Mexican-American and Spanish-American wars of the last
century. The anti-war movement grew especially strong during the war to
conquer the Philippines.
"I have seen that we do not intend to free but to subjugate the
Philippines. And so I am an anti-imperialist. I am opposed to having the
eagle put its talons on any other land ... I have a strong aversion to
sending our bright boys out there to fight with a disgraced musket under
a polluted flag." -- Mark Twain, Vice President, Anti-Imperialist
League, 1900 [151]
Let's go back to Charles Wilson's era, when he and the media were
mobilizing support for the Korean War. At first they were very
successful. But despite their impressive efforts, the support didn't
last long. After the body bags started coming home, the majority of
people turned against the war.
[Mother:] I ant my son back home! Now.
The government and the media once again did their best to whip up
support for the war in Vietnam. But as the war escalated, the greatest
anti-war movement in U.S. history arose. At first, the opposition was
small but determined.
[Anti-war demonstrators:] BRING OUR MEN HOME
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