7.6+World+War+I-+The+Home+Front

Topic 7.6: World War I: Home Front

Mobilization

  • Introduction: U.S. mobilization for war began in 1917 as a response to Germany's impending offensive.

  • Key Question: Could the U.S. mobilize its economic resources quickly enough to influence the war?

Industry and Labor

  • The Wilson administration established temporary wartime agencies staffed by business and government experts.

  • Significant Figures:

    • Bernard Baruch: Led the War Industries Board, which prioritized production and controlled material and prices.

    • Herbert Hoover: Headed the Food Administration, promoting food conservation, resulting in U.S. food shipments tripling to allies.

    • Harry Garfield: Managed the Fuel Administration, saving coal and introducing daylight saving time.

    • William McAdoo: Directed the Railroad Administration to coordinate transportation and standardize equipment.

    • William Howard Taft: Headed the National War Labor Board, obtaining wage increases and improved working conditions for laborers.

Finance

  • The government raised $33 billion in two years through loans and taxes, promoting Liberty Bonds to Americans.

  • Congress increased income and corporate taxes and added a luxury goods tax.

Public Opinion

  • The U.S. government encouraged public support using patriotic propaganda through the Committee on Public Information, led by George Creel.

  • Created materials highlighting U.S. soldiers' heroism and vilifying the enemy.

Civil Liberties

  • The war atmosphere led to nativism, with groups like the American Protective League targeting German-Americans.

  • Barred Zone Act (Immigration Act of 1917): Restricted immigration from parts of the Middle East and Southeast Asia, including a literacy test affecting Southern and Eastern Europeans.

  • Espionage Act (1917): Imprisonment for provoking rebellion or obstructing the draft.

  • Sedition Act (1918): Stopped disloyal remarks against the government, resulting in 2,000 prosecutions, including Eugene Debs.

  • Schenck v. United States (1919): Supreme Court ruled free speech can be limited during clear dangers to public safety.

Armed Forces

  • Voluntary enlistment surged post-war declaration; however, more soldiers were needed.

  • Selective Service Act (1917): Introduced a lottery draft system requiring men aged 21-30 to register leading to 2.8 million drafted alongside 2 million volunteering.

  • Racial Segregation: Nearly 400,000 African Americans served in segregated units, with few attaining officer status. W.E.B. Du Bois hoped service would help achieve equal rights.

Effects on American Society

  • Wartime economy adjustments led to migration from rural to urban areas for job opportunities.

More Jobs for Women

  • Women's involvement in the workforce increased as men were drafted. This shift facilitated support for the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.

Migration of Mexicans

  • Economic opportunities and the Mexican revolution prompted Mexican immigration for agricultural and mining jobs.

The Great Migration

  • Around 1 million African Americans migrated north (1910-1930) for factory jobs, fleeing racism, crop failures, and economic limitations. This trend saw a resurgence during WWII with over 4 million relocated by 1970.

  • Northern migration initiated substantial racial tension and discrimination despite some economic advancements.

Postwar Problems

  • Post-war adjustment was complicated by economic uncertainties and social upheavals.

1918 Pandemic

  • A severe influenza outbreak began in 1918, infecting an estimated 500 million globally, resulting in 500,000 to 675,000 American deaths.

Demobilization

  • Returning soldiers struggled to secure jobs as many had occupied roles in war industries. Economic instability arose with factory shutdowns as military orders declined.

  • Inflation grew along with a consumer buying spree in cities, followed by a recession in 1921 with 10% unemployment.

The Red Scare

  • Unrest arose from dissatisfaction with peace, fears of communism, and labor strikes, leading to anti-Communist paranoia and immigration restrictions.

Palmer Raids

  • Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer coordinated arrests targeting radicals, leading to 6,000 arrests, developing a pattern of xenophobia in the context of communism.

Labor Conflict

  • Post-war strikes in 1919 faced public backlash, including the Seattle shipyard strike, Boston police strike, and the U.S. Steel strike, with state forces intervening against union efforts.

Racial Violence

  • Transition periods in the U.S. saw intensified racial tensions, noted in major events like the East St. Louis riots and the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921.

Confederate Monuments

  • An increase in the construction of Confederate monuments reflected the resurgence of Southern racial pride and efforts to promote 'Lost Cause' ideologies.

Decline of the Progressive Impulse

  • The cost of war led to a retreat from Progressive ideals, with society seeking a return to normalcy characterized by economic prosperity and conservative policies while restricting immigration and scientific inquiry.

Topic 7.6: World War I: Home Front

Mobilization

Introduction: U.S. war mobilization began in 1917 due to Germany's offensive threat. Key Question: Could the U.S. mobilize its economic resources fast enough to influence the war?

Industry and Labor

The Wilson administration created wartime agencies led by business and government specialists.

  • Bernard Baruch: War Industries Board leader prioritizing production and price control.

  • Herbert Hoover: Managed the Food Administration, tripling food shipments to allies.

  • Harry Garfield: Fuel Administration manager who saved coal and implemented daylight saving.

  • William McAdoo: Directed Railroad Administration for transportation coordination.

  • William Howard Taft: National War Labor Board head who improved labor conditions.

Finance

The government raised $33 billion in two years via loans and taxes, promoting Liberty Bonds. Income, corporate, and luxury tax rates increased.

Public Opinion

The Committee on Public Information under George Creel promoted patriotism and vilified enemies through propaganda.

Civil Liberties

  • Nativism: Groups like the American Protective League targeted German-Americans.

  • Barred Zone Act: Restricted immigration from parts of the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

  • Espionage Act (1917): Punished rebellion and draft obstruction.

  • Sedition Act (1918): Criminalized disloyal remarks, resulting in 2,000 prosecutions.

  • Schenck v. United States (1919): Limited free speech during public safety threats.

Armed Forces

Voluntary enlistment surged, but more soldiers were needed.

  • Selective Service Act (1917): Introduced a draft, drafting 2.8 million men.

  • Racial Segregation: African Americans served in segregated units.

Effects on American Society

Wartime economic shifts prompted urban migration, women's workforce participation increased, and the Great Migration saw 1 million African Americans relocate north.

Postwar Problems

Post-war adjustments faced economic uncertainties.

  • 1918 Pandemic: Flu outbreak infected 500 million globally, causing 500,000 to 675,000 U.S. deaths.

  • Demobilization: Returning soldiers struggled for jobs with factory shutdowns.

  • Inflation led to a recession in 1921 with 10% unemployment.

  • The Red Scare: Fears of communism led to the Palmer Raids and anti-immigrant sentiment.

  • Racial Violence: Periods of tension culminated in riots and the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921.

  • Confederate Monuments: Reflecting Southern racial pride post-war.

  • Decline of Progressive Impulse: War costs led to a retreat from Progressive ideals towards conservatism.