Chapter 7 Lesson 2 The Home Front

America Mobilizes for War SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM! 200,000 soldiers in US army at beginning of war How do you raise an army? What other obstacles did US face? Training, mobilization, weapons, food, clothes, $$$$$!!!!! Building an Army Selective Service Act (May 1917) REQUIRED men to register to be randomly selected (“drafted”) to join the army 24 million signed up for selective service 2.8 million were drafted (2 million more enlisted) 4 million went to Europe 1.5 million saw action 8 month training (at home & Europe) 400,000 African Americans served (Mostly non-combat; “Harlem Hellfighters” – Croix de Guirre) 13,000 women (non-combat positions)

American Mobilization Strengthening the NAVY Had to transport troops, supplies, food, weapons, etc…to Europe US government took 4 steps to increase NAVY 1) exempt shipyard workers from draft 2) US Chamber of Commerce encouraged workers to work in shipyards- gave flags 3) Reduced construction time – fabrication techniques; parts built off-site; ships then constructed 4) Gov’t took control of private ships –for war use * JULY 4, 1918 – US launched 95 ships German U-Boats were sinking ships – how do allies get shipments through? Convoy System – protect merchant ships w/ armed ones

USS San Diego

Convoy Routes to Allies

The War at Home War Industries Board (Bernard Baruch) Regulated industrial production in US – to support war effort Industrial production in US increased 20% Fuel Administration – “Daylight-saving time” to conserve fuel (for the war effort) National War Labor Board regulated labor in US during wartime “work or fight” – made sure that production was not interrupted; repealed draft exemptions for striking workers Food Administration (Herbert Hoover) Food production rose dramatically during Wartime – food rations were needed to send to Allies “gospel of the clean plate” – to make sure that food was not wasted (conservation method) “Victory Gardens” – citizens plant their own gardens; food shipments to allied troops TRIPLED during war President Wilson is granted power – regulate industries to support war effort!!!

Daylight Saving Time Conserved fuel – use less coal and more daylight in factories

Food Administration

Selling the War Taxes Bonds Wars cost $$$ (US spent $35.5 billion)- How did the U.S. government pay for it? Taxes 1/3 of $ raised through graduated tax War-profits tax Tax vices = tobacco,liquor,etc… Bonds Loans made from citizens to Gov’t “Liberty Loans” & “Victory Loans” Bonds redeemable after the war (w/interest) Propaganda – biased communication designed to influence peoples thoughts & actions Committee on Public Information Pamphlets, books, speeches, recordings, movies, posters All in favor of going to war against “the evil HUNS” This was designed to get the masses to support the war

Propaganda Shaping Public Opinion Committee on Public Information (CPI): *Created during WWI to encourage Americans to support the war. A. George Creel: Director of CPI B. Combined education and widespread advertising to sell America on the war 75 Million Pamphlets/Millions of Posters 6,000 Press Release/75,000 Speakers spoke about evils of the “Huns” (Germans)

WWI Propaganda

WWI Propaganda

WWI Propaganda

WWI Propaganda

WWI Propaganda

WWI Propaganda

Issues at Home Resistance to the Draft Some Americans believed it was an illegal intrusion of the federal government into their private lives. Some men refused to sign up for Selective Service. 12% of Drafted men did not respond Conscientious Objectors: People whose moral or religious beliefs forbid them to fight in wars.

Issues at Home The Government Cracks Down on Dissent The U.S. government felt it needed to ensure support for the war effort Passed laws limiting individual rights Espionage Act: Allowing postal authorities to ban treasonable or seditious newspapers, magazines, or printed materials from the mail. Sedition Act: Made it unlawful to use “disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language” about the American form of government, the Constitution, or the military forces. Arrested people for making statements that were “against” the government or the war effort Severely limited 1st Amendment rights of Free Speech Schenck v. United States: The Court ruled that there are times when the need for public order is so pressing that First Amendment protections of speech do not apply.

Issues at Home Opportunities for minorities and women during the War Opportunities opened up for women and minorities due to so many men being drafted and going to Europe to fight in the war. Each group took advantage of the need for labor during WWI. Women Embrace New Opportunities As men entered the armed forces, many women moved into the workforce for the first time. Some joined the Red Cross or the American Women’s Hospital Service and went overseas. 1000s enlisted in the Army Corps of Nurses In 1919 Congress passed the 19th Amendment: Women/Vote Result of women being so involved in domestic work as well as supporting the war effort African American Follow Opportunity North 367,000 served in the military. Hundreds died for their country. (Segregated Units/White Officers) Great Migration: Movement of African Americans in the 20th century from the rural South to the industrial North.