In 1916, a bold idea was put forward that would have changed the way America decided to go to war.

The proposal called for a national vote before the country could take military action. Instead of leaving the choice to Congress alone, ordinary citizens would have had the power to decide whether the nation should fight.

The plan didn’t stop there. It also required that anyone who voted in favor of war would have to sign up for military service.

The message was clear: if you believed war was necessary, you should be ready to share in the sacrifice. This was meant to stop people from treating the decision lightly or supporting a conflict they wouldn’t personally face.

Although the amendment never became law, it sparked heated debate.

The idea resurfaced years later during World War II in the form of the Ludlow Amendment, which echoed the same concerns. Both efforts reflected a deep mistrust of political leaders dragging the country into war without strong public backing.

The proposal remains a powerful reminder of the connection between civic duty and the human cost of conflict. It challenged Americans to think about accountability if you choose war, you should also be willing to fight it.

General Smedley Butler, ‘I spent thirty-three years in the Marines, most of my time being a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for capitalism.

I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1910-1912.

I helped make Mexico, and especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916.

I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City [Bank] boys to collect revenue in. I helped in the rape of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. In China in 1927, l helped to see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested.

I had a swell racket. l was rewarded with honors, medals, and promotions. l might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate a racket in three city districts. The Marines operated on three continents.’ – General Smedley Butler, former US Marine Corps Commandant, 1935.

 ‘No one man nor group of men incapable of fighting or exempt from fighting should in any way be given the power, no matter how gradually it is given them, to put this country or any country into war.’   ~  War Correspondent Ernest Hemingway. You can and should share this story on social media: TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

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