Document 1: extract of a speech given by Helen Keller
at Carnegie Hall, New York City, on January 5th 1916 under the
auspices of the Women's Peace Party and the Labor Forum
The few who profit from the labor of the masses
want to organize the workers into an army which will protect the interests of
the capitalists. You are urged to add to the heavy burdens you already bear the
burden of a larger army and many additional warships. (…) You do not need to
make a great noise about it. With the silence and dignity of creators you can
end wars and the system of selfishness and exploitation that causes wars. All
you need to do to bring about this stupendous revolution is to straighten up
and fold your arms (…)
Every modern war has had its root in
exploitation. The Civil War was fought to decide whether to slaveholders of the
South or the capitalists of the North should exploit the West. The
Spanish-American War decided that the United States should exploit Cuba and the
Philippines (…) The present war is to decide who shall exploit the Balkans,
Turkey, Persia, Egypt, India, China, Africa (…)
Strike against all ordinances and laws and
institutions that continue the slaughter of peace and the butcheries of war! Strike
against war, for without you no battles can be fought! Strike against
manufacturing shrapnel and gas bombs and all other tools of murder! Strike
against preparedness that means death and misery to millions of human being. Be
not dumb, obedient slaves in an army of destruction. Be heroes in an army of
construction!
Document 2: 1917 recruitment poster by J.M. Flagg
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