Smedley Butler: The Marines and the Making and Breaking of America's Empire

Gangsters of Capitalism: Smedley Butler, the Marines, and the Making and Breaking of America's Empire

by Jonathan M. Katz

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	32351 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	433 pages

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Smedley Butler was a Marine general who served in the Spanish-American War, the Boxer Rebellion, and World War I. He was also a vocal critic of American imperialism and the military-industrial complex. In his book, War Is a Racket, Butler argued that war is a scam perpetrated by the rich and powerful to make money and control the world.

Early Life and Career

Smedley Darlington Butler was born on July 30, 1881, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He was the son of a wealthy Quaker family. Butler attended the Haverford School and the United States Naval Academy. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1903 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.

Butler served in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. He was also part of the American expeditionary force that was sent to China to suppress the Boxer Rebellion. In 1909, Butler was promoted to captain. He served in Nicaragua and Haiti during the early 1900s. Butler was promoted to major in 1914.

World War I

Butler served in France during World War I. He commanded the 13th Marine Regiment at the Battle of Belleau Wood. Butler was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1918. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Belleau Wood.

Post-War Career

After the war, Butler served as the military governor of Haiti. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1921. Butler retired from the Marine Corps in 1931.

Butler was a vocal critic of American imperialism. He argued that the United States should not be involved in foreign wars. Butler also criticized the military-industrial complex. He argued that the rich and powerful were using war to make money and control the world.

War Is a Racket

In 1935, Butler published his book, War Is a Racket. In the book, Butler argued that war is a scam perpetrated by the rich and powerful to make money and control the world. Butler wrote that war is "a racket. It is a system of legalized robbery and murder."

Butler's book was a bestseller. It helped to raise awareness of the dangers of war and the military-industrial complex.

Later Life and Legacy

Butler died on June 21, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was 58 years old. Butler is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Butler is remembered as one of the most outspoken critics of American imperialism and the military-industrial complex. His book, War Is a Racket, is still read and studied today.

Smedley Butler was a complex and controversial figure. He was a brilliant military commander and a vocal critic of American foreign policy. Butler's book, War Is a Racket, is a classic work of anti-war literature. Butler's legacy is one of a man who spoke out against the dangers of war and the military-industrial complex.

Gangsters of Capitalism: Smedley Butler, the Marines, and the Making and Breaking of America's Empire

by Jonathan M. Katz

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	32351 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	433 pages

FREE