If you were the government and had to manage a war, what are several things you’d have to handle?

The Troops April 1917 – War declared General John J. Pershing selected to run the troops About 2 million total

U.S. Mobilizes for War General John J. Pershing lead the U.S. troops, known as the (AEF) Nicknamed “ Doughboys ” by the Europeans American Expeditionary Force (AEF)

American troops march through London. July 1917, U.S. troops arrive in France and Great Britain in great numbers Enthusiasm of fresh U.S. troops broke the stalemate and turned the tide of the war toward the allies

Although the first American troops arrived in Europe in June 1917, the AEF did not fully participate at the front until October 1917! WHY? Pershing insisted on: – several months training first – Americans fight in their own unit

America on the HOMEFRON T

 Woodrow Wilson  Was working on a 14 Point Plan for peace in Europe to ensure there would never be another mass war. President in WWI

 Get all its citizens on board  Prevent opposition at home  Make sure the soldiers have everything they need  Keep production high  Keep the economy stabilized

Government Agencies National War Labor Board Committee on Public Information War Industries Board, etc. ensured production remained consistent and public support remained high.

Manage Fuel  Fuel Administration Gasless days, daylight savings time

Manage Food  Food Administration Herbert Hoover Regulated food consumption, agricultural output, reduce waste

Manage Food  Days were created like MEATLESS MONDAY or WHEATLESS WEDNESDAY to increase food supplies for the troops.

Victory Gardens  Americans grew their own food so they would need to buy less from stores.  More food could then be shipped to soldiers.

Originally the U.S. sent millions of $$ to the Allies. Liberty bonds were sold to raise $ to support the war effort in Europe.

Espionage Act – 1917  Forbade actions that blocked recruitment or efforts to promote insubordination in the military.  Ordered the Postmaster General to remove Leftist materials from the mail.  Fines of up to $10,000 and/or up to 20 years in prison.

Sedition Act – 1918  Made it a crime to speak against the war.  Question: What amendment to the Constitution does this violate?

 Eugene V. Debs, Socialist Party presidential candidate in 1904, 1908, and 1912 was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison for making a speech that "obstructed recruiting". He ran for president again in 1920 from prison.  Robert Goldstein, a Jew of German origins and the producer of a film called The Spirit of '76 was prosecuted and received a 10 year sentence plus a fine of $5000. The courts felt that its depiction of cruelty on the part of British soldiers during the American Revolution would undermine support for America's wartime ally. Stories:

 Two Italian immigrants who were ANARCHISTS.  They were accused and found guilty of murder by an all-white jury and a judge who called they racial slurs.  No evidence was ever found.  Hanged.  Demonstrates level of paranoia in America.

Mistrust of and intolerance of German- Americans spread rapidly. It even became illegal to speak German in some counties.

German Measles was renamed “Liberty Measles” Sauerkraut was renamed… …Liberty Cabbage! Dachshunds were renamed… …Liberty Pups! Hamburgers were renamed …. …Liberty Steaks!

The Justice Department arrested more than 4,000 Germans in The allegations included spying for Germany, or endorsing the German war effort. Thousands were forced to buy war bonds to show their loyalty. The Red Cross barred individuals with German last names from joining in fear of sabotage. German-born Robert Prager was dragged from jail as a suspected spy and lynched

 There were a lot of non-whites who wanted to serve in the war. However, they often faced great discrimination. However,  Hispanic-American, Private Marcelino Serna, single- handedly captured 24 German soldiers in France. He became the most decorated WWI soldier from Texas, earning 2 purple hearts and a medal from every Allied nation.  In 1917, just before the United States entered the war, Puerto Ricans were granted American citizenship. Thanks to this new status, Puerto Rican men became liable for the military draft. Subsequently, 18,000 Puerto Ricans served as members of the American armed forces.

 The Harlem Hellfighters, an African-American unit in WWI, spent 191 days in front line trenches, more than any other American unit. During that time, they never had any men captured nor any ground taken.  At the Battle of Belleau Wood, a French General ordered the soldiers to retreat. Their commanding officer refused. "Turn back? I should say not! My men never retire. They go forward or they die!" (Colonel William Hayward)

I had a little bird, Its name was Enza, I opened the window, And in-flew-enza. American Skipping Rhyme (circa 1918.)

The 1918 Influenza Outbreak, commonly referred to as the Spanish flu, was an influenza pandemic that spread to nearly every part of the world.  Most of its victims were healthy young adults  1 in 3 people died from it.  20 to 40 million total deaths MORE THAN THE GREAT WAR!

The pandemic lasted from March 1918 to June 1920, spreading even to the Arctic and remote Pacific Islands.