The phrase "War is a racket" was first made popular by a retired Major General in the United States Marine Corps, Smedley D. Butler. He wrote a book called "War Is a Racket" in which he detailed his experiences as a soldier and how he came to the conclusion that war was nothing more than a way for a few people to make a lot of money at the expense of the many.
Who Was Smedley D. Butler?
Smedley D. Butler was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1881. He joined the Marine Corps in 1898 at the age of 16 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his leadership abilities and bravery in battle. He served in many conflicts throughout his career, including the Boxer Rebellion in China, the Banana Wars in Central America, and World War I.
Butler was known for his outspokenness and his willingness to speak out against what he saw as injustice. He was awarded the Medal of Honor twice for his actions in combat, making him one of only 19 people to receive the award twice.
Why Did He Write "War Is a Racket"?
After retiring from the military, Butler became an outspoken critic of war and the military-industrial complex that he believed was behind it. He wrote "War Is a Racket" in 1935 as a scathing indictment of the military-industrial complex and the politicians who profited from it.
In the book, Butler argued that war was nothing more than a way for a few people to make a lot of money at the expense of the many. He described how the military-industrial complex worked, with politicians and businessmen profiting from war while soldiers and civilians suffered.
What Did Butler Say About War?
One of Butler's most famous quotes from "War Is a Racket" is: "I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism."
Butler went on to describe how the military-industrial complex worked, with politicians and businessmen profiting from war while soldiers and civilians suffered. He argued that war was nothing more than a way for a few people to make a lot of money at the expense of the many.
What Was The Reaction To The Book?
"War Is a Racket" was met with mixed reactions when it was first published. Many people praised Butler for his honesty and his willingness to speak out against the military-industrial complex. Others criticized him for being unpatriotic and for speaking out against the government.
Despite the controversy, "War Is a Racket" has stood the test of time and is still widely read today. It is considered a classic work of anti-war literature and is often cited by those who are critical of the military-industrial complex and the politicians who support it.
Conclusion
Smedley D. Butler was a brave and outspoken soldier who became a critic of war after retiring from the military. His book "War Is a Racket" is a scathing indictment of the military-industrial complex and the politicians who profit from war. While the book was met with mixed reactions when it was first published, it has stood the test of time and is still widely read today.