Shortly after the Allied Powers claimed victory in World War I, the happiness U.S. citizens felt soon turned into disillusionment, and many questioned the purpose of the war. Millions of people died, and it wasn’t clear what problems were solved. In the years leading up to WWII, pacifism became the fastest-growing movement in America.
This antiwar sentiment had a considerable impact on the Marine Corps, and they had to take drastic steps to maintain a competent fighting force. This episode discusses the Marine Corps significant cut in manpower, their attempt to bring in recruits using sports, defining an officer promotion selection board, and dealing with crime sprees in the United States.
Thanks to Audible, we can give you a free audiobook! I have included my book recommendation at the end of each episode, but don’t feel obligated to select my suggestion. This offer is available to any of the tens of thousands of audiobooks offered by Audible. Regardless if you decide to continue your membership with audible, this book is yours to keep forever.
References:
Bailey, T. A. (2022). A diplomatic history of the American people (Crofts American history series; D.R. Fox, general editor) (3rd ed.). F.S. Crofts & Co.
Condit, K.W. and Johnstone, J.H., A brief History of Marine Corps Staff Organization, Marine Corps Historical Reference Series Number 25. Washington: Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1934.
Ellsworth, H. A. (2014). One Hundred Eighty Landings of United States Marines, 1800–1934. Createspace Independent Pub.
Gartner, R., & Kennedy, L. (2018). War and Postwar Violence. Crime and Justice, 47(1), 1–67. https://doi.org/10.1086/696649
Marine Corps Association. (1921). The Marine Corps Gazette. The Marine Corps Postal Guards, 6, 466–470.
Schmidt, H. (1998). Maverick Marine: General Smedley D. Butler and the Contradictions of American Military History (Reprint ed.). University Press of Kentucky.
Sherrod, R. (2022). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II (1st ed.). Combat Forces Press.
Stenger, D. (2001). Fortitudine: Newsletter of the Marine Corps Historical Program. Protecting the Mail in 1921 and 1926, 29(2), 12.
U.S. Congress. (1919) U.S. Statutes at Large, Volume 41 -1921, 66th Congress. United States, - 1921. [Periodical] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/llsl-v41/.
U.S. Department of State. Memorandum of the Solicitor, Right to Protect Citizens in Foreign Countries by Landing Forces. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1934, 3d Ed., Rev.
U.S. Marine Corps. Marine Corps Strengths, Personnel Accounting Section, DGB-2200-bjf of 26Nov54.