"If there is no sufficient reason for war, the war party will make war on one pretext, then invent another... after the war is on"
- Robert M. La Follette
About this Quote
This quote by Robert M. La Follette speaks with the power of the war party and their ability to control the general public into supporting a war. He is suggesting that if there is no legitimate factor for a war, the war party will create a false pretext to validate it. This might be done by developing a false story or by exaggerating the hazard presented by the opponent. As soon as the war is underway, the war party will then invent another pretext to keep the war going. This quote speaks with the power of the war party to control the public and to use war as a tool to further their own interests. It likewise serves as an alerting to the general public to be cautious of the war celebration's intentions and to question their claims prior to supporting a war.
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