As a counter-movement to the much publicized, isolationist and German-leaning America First Committee, the Fight For Freedom Committee was organized to end America’s neutrality in the War and to involve us militarily in the fighting then-currently going on.
Viewing America’s involvement as a measure to prevent an eventual invasion and takeover by Fascism, Fight For Freedom organized a series of rallies and nationwide addresses to make the case for our entering the war and to counter the charges by America First that the U.S. was being goaded into the war by Big Business and Colonial interests.
The Committee’s goals were outlined in a paper published by Fight For Freedom in early 1941 and excerpted here:
The American people have recognized that the war abroad involves our destiny just as much as it involves the destiny of Britain, Greece, Jugoslavia, France, China
and the other victims of totalitarian aggression. We have recognized that an Axis victory would be a threat to our nation and to all the principles of life in which
we believe. We have abandoned neutrality and determined to help bring about a defeat of the Axis by making ourselves into an arsenal and a larder for the forces of democracy.
But we still are largely blind to the fact that there is no lasting choice between war and peace. We still think in terms of keeping out of a war in which we are already engaged in every sense except armed combat. We have too long left the main burden of winning a victor y to other people. Thus we are in the immoral and craven position of asking others to make the supreme sacrifice for this victory which we recognize as essential to us.
This address, given by Louisville Courier-Journal Editor Herbert Agar to an audience in Washington on October 10, 1941, stresses the emergency that was taking place and that America could ill-afford to stand by while democracies were falling under the influence of Nazism.
Less than two months later, it wouldn’t make much difference – we were in it whether we liked it or not.
The Fight For Freedom Committee – October 10, 1941 – Past Daily After Hours Reference Room.
– Fight For Freedom Committee – Oct. 10, 1941 –
As a counter-movement to the much publicized, isolationist and German-leaning America First Committee, the Fight For Freedom Committee was organized to end America’s neutrality in the War and to involve us militarily in the fighting then-currently going on.
Viewing America’s involvement as a measure to prevent an eventual invasion and takeover by Fascism, Fight For Freedom organized a series of rallies and nationwide addresses to make the case for our entering the war and to counter the charges by America First that the U.S. was being goaded into the war by Big Business and Colonial interests.
The Committee’s goals were outlined in a paper published by Fight For Freedom in early 1941 and excerpted here:
The American people have recognized that the war abroad involves our destiny just as much as it involves the destiny of Britain, Greece, Jugoslavia, France, China
and the other victims of totalitarian aggression. We have recognized that an Axis victory would be a threat to our nation and to all the principles of life in which
we believe. We have abandoned neutrality and determined to help bring about a defeat of the Axis by making ourselves into an arsenal and a larder for the forces of democracy.
But we still are largely blind to the fact that there is no lasting choice between war and peace. We still think in terms of keeping out of a war in which we are already engaged in every sense except armed combat. We have too long left the main burden of winning a victor y to other people. Thus we are in the immoral and craven position of asking others to make the supreme sacrifice for this victory which we recognize as essential to us.
This address, given by Louisville Courier-Journal Editor Herbert Agar to an audience in Washington on October 10, 1941, stresses the emergency that was taking place and that America could ill-afford to stand by while democracies were falling under the influence of Nazism.
Less than two months later, it wouldn’t make much difference – we were in it whether we liked it or not.
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