Support and Opposition to the War

Patriotism Although America had hesitated to get involved in the war, once it did public support was enormous Propaganda posters were also used in greater number than ever before, encouraging support for the war

What is Propaganda? Ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause (Merriam-Webster) According to this definition and what you know of propaganda, do you think it is a positive or negative thing?

James Montgomery Flagg

Committee on Public Information The Committee on Public Information (CPI) flooded the country with pro-war propaganda It was a “conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses” –Edward Bernays (CPI staff) It was possible to “sway the ideas of whole populations, change their habits of life, create belief, practically universal in any policy or idea.” Foner, Eric Give Me Liberty, 781

Selective Service Act The Selective Service Act of 1917 required men to register for the draft The army went from 120,000 to 5 million men All men must register with Selective Services when they turn 18 Women may soon be required to do so as well

Public Support The CPI was able to sway public opinion in favor of the war The government partnered with industries to raise funds and collect supplies for the war By 1918 the wealthiest Americans were paying 60% of their income to taxes Many other Americans bought liberty bonds and worked to support the war in any way they could

Native Americans in WWI When America finally declared war, some of the very fist men to volunteer were Native men Native Americans still did not have citizenship Roughly 13,000 native men served in WWI about 20-30% of all native men This was a higher percent than the total of all American men who served

Native American Code Talkers

Patriotism “Democracy” and “freedom” become key words and ideas for supporting the war To encourage American support for the war the CPI demonized the Germans and the Kaiser calling them “Huns” It gave Americans the idea that they were fighting to preserve freedom and democracy in the world

Opposition There were still many that disagreed with the war and America’s involvement How do you think they would be seen by the rest of the country?

The Espionage and Sedition Acts Patriotism became synonymous with support for the war and government Anyone who was opposed to the war or disagreed with the government was seen not only as not patriotic but dangerous and evil The Espionage Act of 1917 was the first time since John Adams’s presidency in 1798 that America made it a crime to do or say anything that might impede military success

The Espionage and Sedition Acts Under the Espionage Act newspapers and magazines that were critical of the government were prevented from being mailed Socialist, who were some of the most vocally against the war, were the major targets In 1918 the Sedition Act was created making any spoken or written words opposed to the war or government a crime

Eugene V. Debs In 1918 under the Sedition Act Eugene V. Debs was arrested and convicted under the Espionage Act when he made an anti-war speech He spoke to the court saying that it was part of the American identity and freedom to speak out against tyranny and the government when needed Debs was sentenced to ten years in prison (In Germany a man who was convicted of a similar “crime” was sentenced to only four years)

Eugene V. Debs in Prison Debs still ran for president while in prison and got 900,000 votes When the war ended Wilson refused to commute Debs’s sentence Debs remained in prison until 1921 when President Harding finally released him

What happened to Germans in America? They were discriminated against They were usually forced to stop speaking German Many of their shops and businesses were forced to close At least one German man was lynched and many others tarred and feathered Most German classes were either cancelled or out-lawed