Veterans of Future Wars
Encyclopedia
Veterans of Future Wars was an organization formed as a prank by Princeton University
students in 1936. The group was a satirical
reaction to a bill granting the early payment of bonuses to World War I veterans
as articulated in their manifesto:
The manifesto spread nationwide as wire services quickly picked up the group's press releases. Representative Claude Fuller
of Arkansas unwittingly increased the group's visibility by denouncing them on the floor of the House. Soon local chapters began popping up at campuses throughout the nation. Enthusiastic new members from as far away as North Dakota paid dues to the main chapter in Princeton and adopted the organization's salute: arm held out towards Washington with "hand outstretched, palm up and expectant" – a mockery both of the World War I veterans, whom the founding Princetonians viewed as freeloaders, and of the fascist salute then gaining currency in Europe.
The message of the organization had a rare appeal to both conservatives
and liberals
. Conservatives saw them as kindred spirits in the effort to keep Roosevelt
from spending the country into bankruptcy. Pacifist liberals on the other hand, saw the movement as an opportunity to satirize war itself.
Real veterans hated the movement. The Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
, James Van Zandt, called them "insolent puppies" who ought to be spanked. "They'll never be veterans of a future war," he sputtered, "for they are too yellow to go to war." The Princetonians replied that the Veterans of Future Wars was a genuinely patriotic organization, therefore if Van Zandt opposed them, he clearly must be a "Red".
By June 1936, the Veterans of Future Wars reached its peak membership of 50,000 paid members at 584 college campuses. By the next school year, the joke was stale, and national attention focused on the Presidential campaign. The group ceased operations in April 1937. It is remembered as one of the most large-scale pranks of all time.
Tragicomically
, except for one student who was hurt in an automobile accident, every one of the Princetonians who founded the Veterans of Future Wars served in the armed forces of the United States in World War II.
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
students in 1936. The group was a satirical
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
reaction to a bill granting the early payment of bonuses to World War I veterans
Bonus Army
The Bonus Army was the popular name of an assemblage of some 43,000 marchers—17,000 World War I veterans, their families, and affiliated groups—who gathered in Washington, D.C., in the spring and summer of 1932 to demand immediate cash-payment redemption of their service certificates...
as articulated in their manifesto:
The manifesto spread nationwide as wire services quickly picked up the group's press releases. Representative Claude Fuller
Claude A. Fuller
Claude Albert Fuller — was a lawyer, farmer, member of Arkansas State House of Representatives from 1903–05, and of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 3rd District of Arkansas from 1929-39....
of Arkansas unwittingly increased the group's visibility by denouncing them on the floor of the House. Soon local chapters began popping up at campuses throughout the nation. Enthusiastic new members from as far away as North Dakota paid dues to the main chapter in Princeton and adopted the organization's salute: arm held out towards Washington with "hand outstretched, palm up and expectant" – a mockery both of the World War I veterans, whom the founding Princetonians viewed as freeloaders, and of the fascist salute then gaining currency in Europe.
The message of the organization had a rare appeal to both conservatives
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
and liberals
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
. Conservatives saw them as kindred spirits in the effort to keep Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
from spending the country into bankruptcy. Pacifist liberals on the other hand, saw the movement as an opportunity to satirize war itself.
Real veterans hated the movement. The Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a congressionally chartered war veterans organization in the United States. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VFW currently has 1.5 million members belonging to 7,644 posts, and is the largest American organization of combat...
, James Van Zandt, called them "insolent puppies" who ought to be spanked. "They'll never be veterans of a future war," he sputtered, "for they are too yellow to go to war." The Princetonians replied that the Veterans of Future Wars was a genuinely patriotic organization, therefore if Van Zandt opposed them, he clearly must be a "Red".
By June 1936, the Veterans of Future Wars reached its peak membership of 50,000 paid members at 584 college campuses. By the next school year, the joke was stale, and national attention focused on the Presidential campaign. The group ceased operations in April 1937. It is remembered as one of the most large-scale pranks of all time.
Tragicomically
Tragicomedy
Tragicomedy is fictional work that blends aspects of the genres of tragedy and comedy. In English literature, from Shakespeare's time to the nineteenth century, tragicomedy referred to a serious play with either a happy ending or enough jokes throughout the play to lighten the mood.-Classical...
, except for one student who was hurt in an automobile accident, every one of the Princetonians who founded the Veterans of Future Wars served in the armed forces of the United States in World War II.