Preparedness Movement - Definition

The Preparedness Movement was a campaign led by Leonard Wood and Theodore Roosevelt to strengthen the US military. Roosevelt wrote two books, America and the World War, and Fear God and Take Your Own Part to popularize the movement. Wood advocated a summer training school for reseve officers to be held in Plattsburg, New York.

Opposing the idea was Woodrow Wilson who believed the United States should be in a position of unarmed neutrality. Several organizations were formed around the Preparedness Movement. They held parades and organized opposition to Wilson's policies.

When the Lusitania was sunk on May 7, 1915. Wilson's attitude changed. The National Defense Act was passed on June 3, 1916 and Congress authorized an enormous increase in the military. The Preparedness Movement faded.