Sunday, June 9, 1940

Editorial

JFK published an editoral in the Harvard Crimson supporting rearmament by the United States in prepartion for a likely war against Germany. This stance evolved over the winter of 1939-40 from one of political and military appeasement which he imbued from his father.

In part, he wrote,

“… If anyone should ask why Britain is so badly prepared for this war or why America’s defenses were found to be in such shocking condition in the May investigations, this attitude toward armaments is a substantial answer. The failure to build up her armaments has not saved England from a war, and may cost her one.

Are we in American to let that lession go unlearned.”

[3, p. 328]