Chapter 14:

War is the Health of the

State
Daniel Baldwin

World War 1
Focuses on the United States entry into WWI
European Countries flourished during WWI
US was entering a serious recession
US saw the war as a way to flex muscles as a world power and benefit
off of the increased demand of goods in Europe.
US was banking on the Allies to win
Had huge investments

Why War is Healthy for a Country

War is mostly healthy for governments and the upper class
It unifies the people for a common cause and briefly joins the classes
Stimulates economy
US raised $2 billion in arms requests from the Allies
Steel companies raised around $300 million
Allies had increasing debt to the United States from all arms and materials requests

Countries are run by the master class (government, upper class)

Gives the master class more money and power in general.

Incentive Needed
United States initially wanted to stay neutral, however selling arms to
the Allies increased tensions with the Central Powers.
Lusitania Ship was sunk by German Submarine and the US declared
war, however the decision was made based off of the people's
decision.
Needed to secure profits from Allies side.
Wanted the people to have a state of mind for war.
Needed 1 million men to join the army, only 70 thousand joined in a 6
week period.
Thus the draft was created.

Draft
Overwhelming vote in congress to start the draft.
Had harsh punishments to those avoiding the draft

The draft was meant to increase support in the

war.
The draft was a support in the statement The
subject class fights the war for the master
class.
Many people openly opposed the draft and the
war as well as fled the country to avoid being
drafted.

Espionage Act
Had a clause that provided penalties up to
twenty years in prison for "Whoever, when
the United States is at war, shall willfully
cause or attempt to cause insubordination,
disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty in the
military or naval forces of the United States,
or shall willfully obstruct the recruiting or
enlistment service of the U.S. .. ."
Gave the government the power to control the
public's opinions, freedom of expression, and
the lives of the men who were forced to
serve.

End of Chapter
Talks about how much funding was put into propaganda to diminish
the opposal to the war.
Government used war to feed the capitalist desires of the master
class.
Struck down on socialism and the IWW (Worker unions against war)
War ended and the United States had lost 50,000 troops
War fever was still a strong presence so the new war was shifted
towards deportation of immigrants who opposed the government.
Zinn states how nothing was gained for the nation as a whole.

Discussion Questions
1.What would be the result if the United States did not enter the war?
2.Why is it that we allow the master class to restrict us and use our
lives for their own gain?
3.Would the US be able to enter a war with the same tactics in
modern times?
4.Has your view on war been shifted at all after this presentation?