The WIB The War Industries Board was set up to oversee production of war supplies –Managed the buying and distributing of war materials –Set production goals for factories –Ordered construction of new factories –Controlled wages and prices

The CPI The Committee on Public Information was created to increase public support for the war –Produced pro-war propaganda: a method of persuasion for the purpose of influencing the actions of others –Gained support for the war through posters, pamphlets, and movies –Propaganda led to anti-German feelings and prejudice

Attacks on Freedoms Laws were passed to keep anti-war Americans from expressing their opinions Espionage Act and Sedition Act –These laws made it illegal to interfere with the war effort or speak out against it –Set heavy fines and long prison terms for anti-war activities such as encouraging draft resisters Approximately 1,000 anti-war Americans went to jail

Schenck v. United States Charles T. Schenck was convicted of distributing anti-draft pamphlets –He called the draft a crime –Wanted the Selective Service Act to be repealed He sued, arguing that the Espionage Act violated his 1 st Amendment right to free speech 1919 Supreme Court case that upheld the Espionage Act –Supreme Court declared free speech could be limited, especially in wartime

Justice Oliver Wendell Homes Jr. wrote the Court’s opinion in the case. –Free speech was not protected when it creates “a clear and present danger” to the nation’s interests. –“Protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting ‘Fire!’ in a theatre and causing a panic”

Review: What was the Russian Revolution?

Fear of Communism The Russian Revolution was alarming to America Americans worried that a communist revolution could happen in the U.S. and it would change all aspects of American life –Called a “Red Scare” because the color red is often associated with communism Red Scare: widespread fear of the potential rise of a communist revolution