1. Mobilizing for War

2. I. Mobilization
Selective service Act: required all males between the ages of to register
American Expeditionary Force
Led by General John J. Pershing
Helped stop Germans at Chateau-Thierry turning the tide of the war.
Armistice Day November 11, 1918
African-Americans in the AEF
Encountered discrimination and prejudice
Units segregated from white units
Germans used leaflets to urge defection

3. II. War on the Home Front Financing the War Biggest Concern
1/3 financed through taxes
War Revenue Act: boosted tax rate sharply
2/3 Liberty Bonds
“Are you worthy to be fought and died for?” Buy Liberty Bonds
Biggest Concern
Government placed industries under federal agencies
Citizens helped produce materials, cut back on food and help pay for war

4. III. Attack on Civil Liberties
Propaganda
Government attempted to “sell the war”
George Creel and the Committee on Public Information proclaimed the government’s version of acts and discredited all who questioned that version
Used propaganda to shape opinion
Encouraged people to spy on neighbors
Germany was evil force in the world
Americans hated anything German
Liberty sandwich, liberty cabbage not hamburger, sauerkraut
Espionage and Sedition Acts
Imposed severe penalties for spying
Schenck v. US (1919)
Court ruled free speech may be curtailed during war.

5. IV. Wilson’s Fourteen Points
January 1918, President Wilson presented goals for lasting peace – Fourteen points
Based on “Principle of justice to all people.”
Eliminate disarmament
Freedom of seas
Open diplomacy
People should have right to choose their government
Proposed League of Nations – peacekeeping organization

6. The wartime mood, originally one of idealism and high resolve, had degenerated into suspicion, narrow conformity, and persecution of all who failed to meet the zealots’ notion of 100% Americanism

7. V. After the War Treaty of Versailles Big Four
Wilson – U.S.
Great Britain – George
Italy – Orlando
France – Clemenceau
Allies ignored Wilson’s plan and drew up treaty to punish Germany
Germany responsible for war
Repay allies for cost
Lost territory and stripped of colonies
League of Nations formed
U.S. Ratification Fight
Treaty criticized because it called for troops to be under League of Nations
Senate refused to ratify Treaty of Versailles negotiated a separate treaty with Central Powers

8. VI. Demobilization and Effects
Postwar Demobilization
Labor Strikes and Red Scare
Labor unrest rose during economic downturn
Labor unrest and political radicalism linked - Red Scare was suspicion and persecution of those with communist links
Palmer Raids: raided suspected anarchists and communists
Effects of World War I
Exposed the heterogeneity of American people and the divisions among them.
Government intervened and influenced people’s lives more than ever before.
US became the leading economic power and largest trading nation
Ended progressivism resulting in mood of cynicism and discouragement among intellectuals
Lost Generation (Ernest Hemingway)