World War I on the Home Front

Ch 6.2

Monday, March 12, 2012

• Daily Goals:• Understand how WWI brought upon changes in

American society.• Ch 6.1 Notes Analysis-• Trace the causes of America’s entry in WWI using

your notes.

Johnny grab your gun!

• Progressives did not like the idea of Conscription (military draft).

• Instead Congress enacted the Selective Service Act requiring all men 21-30 to register and they were drafted randomly by lottery.

The War Machine

• The gov’t created the War Industries Board (WIB) to control the flow of raw materials, build new factories, and set prices.

Soldiers need to eat!

• The Food Administration encouraged Americans to conserve or “Hooverize” their meals to save food for the War.

• People grew Victory Gardens to leave more food for the troops.

Wars are Expensive!

• Victory Bonds helped pay for the war.• Congress also raised income taxes to fund the

war.

The War Economy

• National War Labor Board (NWLB) settled labor disputes to keep the economy running smoothly.

• Helped workers get higher pay and 8 hr day.

Moving North

• Great Migration- many African Americans moved North during the War for jobs.

• Mexicans also moved North to fill the labor shortage.

The War of Public Opinion

• The Committee on Public Information (CPI) is established to get people behind the war.

• The CPI’s four-minute men gave millions of pro-war speeches to maintain public support for the war.

Espionage Act

• made criticizing the gov’t and the war illegal.

• What is the clock symbolic of?

Fuel Administration

• Supported the war by:• Increasing fuel production.• Encouraging energy conservation-Daylight

Savings.

• How does this cartoon portray Germans?

Anti-German Sentiment

• German-Americans were mistreated and persecuted.

• HamburgerSalisbury Steak• SauerkrautLiberty Cabbage• German classes and music banned in Schools.

Discussion Questions

• The 1st amendment states: “Congress shall make no law…[restricting] freedom of speech…”

• So why can’t you yell fire in a crowded movie theater? Or yell bomb on a plane?

Schenck v US

• Sent anti-war messages to draftees.• Arrested under Espionage Act• Argued his 1st amendment was violated. • Supreme Court said his speech was not

protected because it created “clear and present danger.”