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

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