1. Thinking slide:
If you were responsible for gaining the American public’s support for the war, How would you do it?

2. Selective Service Act
Authorized a draft of young men (between the ages of 21 and 30) to register to be drafted into the armed forces
When U.S. entered the war our Army was only a small fraction of European armies.
More than 9.6 million Americans registered to be drafted

3. Draft Process: U.S. held a “Great National Lottery”
Each man registered got a number
Sec. of War, Newton Baker pulled a number from a jar to determine who were the 1st draftees

4. The Draft Continued… 1st mandated draft since The Civil War
Only 110,000 men registered before the draft
10,500 numbers had to be drawn one at a time, a task which began at 10 a. m. and continued until 2:18am the next day. The 10,004th slip, drawn at 1:18am, was blank (didn’t have a number)

5. Agencies created during the war…
War Industries Board
National War Labor Board
- Oversaw the production and distribution of goods made by the countries war industries.
Worked to settle disputes between workers and management to prevent strikes.

6. Food Administration Headed by Herbert Hoover.
Encouraged farmers to increase production and asked Americans to conserve food.
Held Wheatless” Mondays and Wednesdays, “Meatless” Tuesdays, “Porkless” Thursdays and Sundays

7. Committee on Public Information
Created by President Woodrow Wilson to educate the public on the causes and nature of the war.
Began a campaign using rallies, parades, posters, and pamphlets.
Wilson also hired 75,000 people to give speeches at churches, movies, and schools. 75 million pamphlets, 6,000 press releases

8. Does the government limit our freedoms? If so, How?
Thinking Slide:
Does the government limit our freedoms? If so, How?

9. Is public burning of the American Flag legal?
Yes! In 1969 the Supreme Court ruled that burning the American Flag falls under our 1st Amendment rights!!

10. Conscientious Objector:
People whose moral or religious beliefs forbid them to fight in wars.
The Selective Service Act exempted from combat service members of “any well recognized religious sect. or organization.
Freedom of Religion?

11. Espionage Act of 1917
Punished people for aiding the enemy or refusing military duty or interfering with the war effort
German-Americans faced harassment and charges of disloyalties

12. Sedition Act of 1918
Made it illegal for Americans to speak disloyally about the U.S. government, Constitution, or flag.
More than 1,000 people were arrested (even religious groups)

13. Women’s role in WWI
Women were not allowed to fight in combat (lifted in 2013).
What are some ways that women could contribute in the war effort?
- Interpreters
- Clerks/Typists
- Nurses and ambulance drivers
- worked in factories back home
Women’s efforts in the War led to the passing of the 19th Amendment!

14. The Great Migration:
The movement of African-Americans from the South to the North
Why was there a movement? (“Push/Pull”)

15. How can War boost a country’s economy?
Create Jobs that otherwise would not be there
- Supplies can be sold to allied countries
Corporations can win contracts to sell to the military

16. 1. The Allied need for American Products
3 conditions combined to produce higher wages and better conditions for labor…
1. The Allied need for American Products
2. Labor shortage as men joined the military
3. The decline in immigrants competing for labor

17. Group Activity:
Write a short campaign speech convincing the American public to support U.S. involvement in the Great War. Give reasons why U.S. got involved and how U.S. involvement will make life better in the U.S. (economy and labor). In addition, mention possible punishments for not backing the war effort. In your group, 1 person will speak, 1 will write, and the rest will research.