More Than a Century of Opposition to Senseless Wars.

The Progressive has stood against war, militarism, and profiteering since its earliest days as La Follette's Weekly. Here is sampling of images and writing from the past 114 years.

JULY 1916

Who Wants War?

Robert M. La Follette

The gentlemen who want war with Mexico are a very powerful lot. They own most of the United States and a good slice of Mexico. They are our Captains of Industry, our Masters of Finance. They own or control our great newspapers. They are for a "strong Mexican policy," a "strong foreign policy," a big Army, a big Navy. They prate about "patriotism." There was a time when the slogan of munition makers was: "Trade follows the Flag." That put the commercial interests behind the Navy. But that slogan has been completely reversed. The cry now is: "The Flag follows the Investment."

SEPTEMBER 1932

Who Is It That Wants War?

Bertrand Russell

The next great war will, in all likelihood, bring the end of civilization. Aeroplanes and poison gas have made the attack much stronger than the defense, and have made it easy to make war on civilian populations behind the lines. It is to be hoped that ordinary citizens will, before it is too late, acquire the common sense required to save themselves and their children from a horrible and futile death. The first step should be universal compulsory and complete disarmament; the second, the creation of an international government. Armies and navies do not make for safety. The only way to be safe in the modern world is not to have the means of fighting.

APRIL 1923

Abolish War

Belle Case La Follette

War is no more necessary today for the settlement of differences among nations than dueling was necessary in times past to settle differences between individuals. And it is the survival of the dueling spirit, the code of honor, that makes war possible today. War is only one method of settling quarrels. It is not only the most terrible, it is the most futile of all methods. The chaos of Europe radiographs this truth around the world.

APRIL 1937

An End to War

Eleanor Roosevelt

The changes which have come to the world make it necessary, if we wish our civilization to survive, to put an end to war at once. We cannot wait and discuss this question. Another war will be a war between peoples; we will not be able to send young men into the army and then have the army fight at a safe distance. War will be carried on right in among our people themselves, and it will not matter whether they are young or old...