1. The War on the Home Front
Propaganda and Forced Cooperation
The War on the Home Front

2. Committee on Public Information
Realizing war in Europe would mean a total war, Wilson created the CPI to sway public opinion.
Headed by George Creel, the committee’s job was to sell the war to the American people, and sell Wilson’s goals to the world.

3. Propaganda
Across the country and world, Creel sent out 75,000 men to deliver speeches that were pro war.
Propaganda took many forms:
Posters
Movies, such as The Kaiser, Beast of Berlin or To Hell With the Kaiser
Songs, such as Over There

4. “Over There!”
One of the most popular songs of the era was George Cohan’s propaganda filled Over There!
Over there, Over there
Send the word, send the word, over there!
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming
The drums rum tumming everywhere!

5. Anti-German Sentiments
Over 8 million Americans were of German heritage.
As propaganda increased, more Americans became angry at German immigrants.
Orchestras feared playing German music
German classes were cancelled in schools across the country
Sauerkraut became “liberty cabbage” and hamburger “liberty steak”

6. Escalation of Anti-German Sentiment
Union and socialist rallies became much more scarce.
However, some did still occur
Often times, such rallies were met by pro war activists.
Some cases resulted in tar and feathering anti-war activists
In one extreme case in Illinois, a socialist was lynched.

7. The Sedition Act and The Espionage Act
Brought back from the administration of John Adams, the Espionage and Sedition Acts were intended to enforce cooperation.
Those suspected of creating movements against America or for Germany could be prosecuted.

8. New Laws Enforced Over 1,900 people were prosecuted under these laws
The majority were German sympathizers, socialists and members of the Industrial Workers of the World.
Schneck v. United States; a Supreme Court case in which the court argued people could be censored if they presented a “clear and present danger”