World War I: Home Front

World War I: Home Front Summary

Mobilization

  • U.S. mobilization in 1917 was crucial against Germany's advances.

  • Agencies created to manage domestic economy and resources effectively.

  • Key figures:

    • Bernard Baruch: Led War Industries Board; set production priorities.

    • Herbert Hoover: Headed Food Administration; increased food shipments overseas.

    • Harry Garfield: Led Fuel Administration; promoted coal conservation and daylight saving.

    • William McAdoo: Ran Railroad Administration for coordinated railroad operations.

    • William Howard Taft: Headed National War Labor Board; improved worker concessions.

Finance

  • Raised $33 billion via loans, taxes, and Liberty Bonds.

  • Increased personal and corporate income taxes; new luxury taxes.

Public Opinion

  • Government used propaganda to boost war support, led by George Creel.

  • Campaigns depicted soldiers heroically and vilified the enemy.

Civil Liberties

  • War hysteria led to prejudice against minorities (e.g., anti-German actions).

  • Barred Zone Act: restricted immigration from specific regions and enforced literacy tests.

  • Espionage Act (1917) and Sedition Act (1918) limited free speech; led to prosecutions, including Eugene Debs.

Armed Forces

  • Voluntary enlistment and conscription via Selective Service Act (1917).

  • About 2.8 million drafted; military segregated, limiting roles for African Americans.

Social Effects

  • Labor and social shifts required adjustments in wartime economy.

  • Women entered workforce in greater numbers due to male enlistments, leading to women's voting rights support.

  • Migration of Mexicans for work due to job openings; African American migration in the Great Migration.

Postwar Problems

  • Economic adjustments post-war included recession and inflation due to returning soldiers.

  • Red Scare led to anti-communist and xenophobic sentiments.

  • Palmer Raids targeted radicals, resulting in mass arrests and deportations.

Labor Conflict

  • Strikes in 1919 met with public distrust of unions; notable incidents: Seattle strike and Boston police strike.

Racial Violence

  • Increased racial tensions; major riots in Chicago and the Tulsa Race Massacre exemplified racial unrest.

Decline of Progressive Impulse

  • Post-war disillusionment diminished Progressive ideals; shift towards conservatism in 1920s.