Difference between revisions of "Smedley Butler"
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'''Smedley Butler''' was a Major General in the [[United States Marines]] who became well known for his 1935 speech "''War is a racket''", recognized by some as a precursor in its recognition of the [[Military-industrial complex]]. Butler wrote, | '''Smedley Butler''' was a Major General in the [[United States Marines]] who became well known for his 1935 speech "''War is a racket''", recognized by some as a precursor in its recognition of the [[Military-industrial complex]]. Butler wrote, | ||
| − | {{quotebox-float|"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 | + | {{quotebox-float|"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]]. |
| − | I helped make [[Mexico]] and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make [[Haiti]] and [[Cuba]] a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen [[Central | + | I helped make [[Mexico]] and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make [[Haiti]] and [[Cuba]] a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen [[Central America]]n republics for the benefit of [[Wall Street]]. I helped purify [[Nicaragua]] for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902- 1912. I brought light to the [[Dominican Republic]] for the [[American]] sugar interests in 1916. I helped make [[Honduras]] right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In [[China]], in 1927, I helped see to it that [[Standard Oil]] went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given [[Al Capone]] a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three [[continent]]s.”}} |
[[Category:New Deal]] | [[Category:New Deal]] | ||
[[Category:Great Depression]] | [[Category:Great Depression]] | ||
Revision as of 00:15, November 20, 2022
Smedley Butler was a Major General in the United States Marines who became well known for his 1935 speech "War is a racket", recognized by some as a precursor in its recognition of the Military-industrial complex. Butler wrote,
| "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.
I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902- 1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China, in 1927, I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.” |