Preparedness Movement
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The term Preparedness Movement has been used in two distinct contexts:
In the context of the early 20th century, the Preparedness Movement was a campaign led by Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt to strengthen the US military. Roosevelt wrote two books, America and the World War, and Fear God and Take Your Own Part to popularize the movement. Wood advocated a summer training school for reserve officers to be held in Plattsburg, New York.
Opposing the idea was Woodrow Wilson, who believed the United States should be in a position of unarmed neutrality. Several organizations were formed around the Preparedness Movement and held parades and organized opposition to Wilson's policies.
When the Lusitania was sunk on May 7, 1915, Wilson's attitude changed. Congress passed the National Defense Act on June 3, 1916 and authorized an enormous increase in the military. The Preparedness Movement of the early 20th century faded.
In the context of the late 20th century and early 21st century, the Preparedness Movement is synonymous with the Survivalism movement, as popularized by Mel Tappan and James Wesley Rawles.
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