Standard U.S. 30- -Analyze the political, economic, and social ramifications of World War I on the home front, including the role played by women and minorities, voluntary rationing, the Creel Committee, opposition by conscientious objectors, and the case of Schenck v. United States.

Objectives TSW analyze the political, economic, and social ramifications of World War I on the home front, including the role played by women and minorities, voluntary rationing, the Creel Committee, opposition by conscientious objectors, and the case of Schenck v. United States.

Selective Service Act -draft -created to overcome troop shortage -24 million registered, 4 million drafted -Passed by Congress in May of 1917 -ages 21-30 then ages 18-45

The Home Front: Selling the War to Americans **The Committee on Public Information was created to influence public opinion to support our entry into the war. -Headed by George Creel -Also called the Creel Committee -Used Propaganda through newsprint, posters, telegraph, and cinema. -abolished in 1919

Creel Committee (Continued) -warned of German spies -caused splinter groups that targeted anyone who called for peace or questioned the war. -German books and music banned in some places -German names changed (hamburger-salisbury steak) (Sauerkraut-liberty cabbage) (dachshounds -liberty pups)

Suppressing Dissent **Because many spoke out against the war, Congress passed the Espionage and Sedition Acts. -outlawed acts of treason -made it a crime to “utter, print, write, or publish any disloyal or abusive language criticizing the government, flag, or military.” -opposition to the draft, war-bond drives, and the arms industry became a crime. -Violation of the 1st amendment? -Supreme court said no- -not during a time of war.

Schenk v. United States **A U.S. Supreme Court decision concerning the enforcement of the Espionage Act. -unanimous vote -defendants gave out leaflets to draft-aged men urging them to resist being inducted into military -said interfering with draft is criminal act -first amendment rights did not apply because the statements presented a “clear and present danger” to our war effort and security.

Conscientious Objector -One who claims the right to refuse to perform military service on the grounds of: -freedom of thought -conscience -religion -were often jailed **In some nations, conscientious objectors are assigned alternate civilian service. **Many who had lost family in the war resented conscientious objectors.

The Home Front: Women During WWI **Women played a major role at home and abroad in the war effort. -Replaced men in factories -Nurses in the war -Ran the Red Cross -Joined the Navy and Marines **Most all the gains made by women during the war were lost when men returned home.

The Home Front: The Role of African Americans in WWI **Because the war left a shortage of workers and a high demand for supplies, many African-Americans moved north to work. The Great Migration African-Americans move north for: -Job Opportunities -More political rights -Better education **Thousands of African-Americans begin to move north. This trend will continue through the 1960s.

**Southern migrants did not always find the “promised land” they had envisioned. -residential segregation -substandard living conditions -job discrimination -some hostilities from whites -some resentment from older black residents as neighborhoods became overcrowded.

African-American Military Service in WWI -Over 200,000 blacks served over seas, many with distinction -Nearly 400,000 blacks served in uniform during WWI -Blocked from Marine Corp. -Over 600 became commissioned officers -Served in segregated units

The Home Front: Financing the War **The war was expensive. The U.S. government found ways to raise money. -Tax increases -Liberty Bond Sales -Liberty Stamps for Children **By war’s end, $21 billion had been raised.

The Home Front: Rationing (Hooverizing) **Government agencies were created to mobilize American agriculture during the war. Food Administration -Headed by Herbert Hoover -cut consumption 15% -Conserved food for soldiers -Guaranteed farmers a set price for crops -Encouraged civilians to ration -Meatless Mondays -Wheatless Wednesdays -Victory Gardens -”When in doubt, eat potatoes.”

3 Truths and a Lie: Even children were asked to do their part in the war by buying liberty stamps, rationing food, or growing liberty gardens. The purpose of the Creel Committee was to influence Americans’ opinions on the war. African-Americans moved north in large numbers during WWI to find more job opportunities. Discrimination against African-Americans and immigrants seemed to decrease during this time as Americans realized we needed to band together to get through the war.