World War I: The War at Home

THE WAR AT HOME

Total War
A total war is one where a nation devoted all its resources to the war
The government takes control of the economy
Crucial supplies are rationed to civilians so that more can be used for the war

Then Homefront
Conscription and civilian mobilization
Government control of key industries
Financing the war
New opportunities
Promoting national unity

Mobilization and Conscription
Selective Service Act of 1917
24,000,000 men registered for the draft by the end of 1918
About 5 million men served in WWI

Segregation in the AEF
400,000 African-Americans served in segregated units
15,000 Native Americans served as scouts messengers and snipers in non-segregated units

Controlling the War Effort INdustry and Attitudes
Council of National Defense
War Industries Board -Bernard Baruch
Food Administration- Herbert Hoover
Fuel Administration
National War Labor Board -Taft
Committee on Public Information -George Creel

Financing the War
Total cost for the US: $33 Billion
Federal Reserve System
⅔ from loans (Liberty Bonds!)
Heavily advertised
War Revenue Bills (1917,1918): increase in income tax

Opportunities and Reforms
Unemployment virtually disappeared
Expansion of “big government”
Close cooperation between public and private sectors
New opportunities for marginalized groups

Women
Took over many men’s jobs during the war
Intensified efforts for women’s suffrage
August 26, 1920: 19th Amendment ratified

The Great Migration
African Americans filled vacant factory positions in northern cities
Increased racial tensions and race riots in northern cities
Returning vets disappointed by no change in status

Promoting National Unity
Espionage Act
Forbade actions that obstructed recruitment or efforts to promote insubordination in the military
Ordered the Postmaster General to remove Leftist materials from the mail
Fines of up to $10,000 and up to 20 years in prison

Sedition Act 1918
No sedition

Schenck v. United States
Schenck was mailing anti-draft leaflets

End of war and treaty of Versailles
Context: WIlsioniam idealism, 14 points, “War to end all wars”

Paris Peace conference instead focuses more on punishment
-Disarmed Germany
-Guilt Clause

• Reparations
• Loss of territory, creation of Czechoslovakia, Poland, Yugoslavia
  Only 14 points: Creation of League of nations and collective security promise