Study Notes on World War I: Home Front

Mobilization for War

  • U.S. rapidly mobilized resources in 1917 due to imminent German threats.

  • Creation of temporary wartime agencies led to significant economic management improvements.

    • War Industries Board (Bernard Baruch): Established production priorities and controls.

    • Food Administration (Herbert Hoover): Increased food shipments abroad by promoting conservation.

    • Fuel Administration (Harry Garfield): Managed fuel resources and initiated daylight saving time.

    • Railroad Administration (William McAdoo): Coordinated railroad traffic and standardization.

    • National War Labor Board (Taft): Mediated labor disputes, leading to wage increases and union growth.

Public Opinion and Civil Liberties

  • Propaganda strategies were employed (Committee on Public Information) to sway public support for the war.

  • Civil liberties were curtailed:

    • Espionage Act (1917): Severe penalties for obstructing the war effort.

    • Sedition Act (1918): Criminalized disloyal remarks against the government.

  • Schenck v. United States (1919) reinforced limits on free speech during wartime.

Armed Forces Recruitment

  • Thousands enlisted voluntarily, with Selective Service Act (1917) later drafting approximately 2.8 million men.

  • Racial segregation was prevalent, with about 400,000 African Americans serving in segregated units.

Effects on American Society

  • Women entered the workforce significantly due to male absences, leading to support for women's suffrage.

  • Mexican migration increased due to labor shortages and local upheavals.

  • The Great Migration saw 1 million African Americans move north seeking better opportunities.

Postwar Problems

  • Postwar adjustment included economic and social turmoil, exacerbated by the 1918 influenza pandemic.

  • Economy faced recession and high unemployment after the war due to returning soldiers and decreased demand.

  • Red Scare and Palmer Raids reflected fears of communism and labor unrest.

  • Labor strikes and racial violence heightened tensions in the U.S. during the early 1920s.

    • Notable incidents included the Seattle General Strike and the Chicago and Tulsa race riots.