War on the Home Front Selling the War Britain began selling Americans on the idea of war long before its actual involvement Britain cut the transatlantic telegraph cable from Europe to the US limiting war news to mainly British reports ID: 701432
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Slide1
Bell Ringer
Which of the long-term causes (ANIMAL) of America’s involvement in WWI do you think had the biggest impact on pushing us towards war? Why?Slide2
War on the Home FrontSlide3
Selling the War
Britain began selling Americans on the idea of war long before its actual involvement.
Britain cut the transatlantic telegraph cable from Europe to the U.S., limiting war news to mainly British reports.
Used propaganda posters to influence opinion
Leaked stories depicting numerous German war atrocities, e.g. Germans used corpses to make fertilizer and soap.Slide4
Committee on Public Information
The Committee on Public Information was created to sell the war; headed by George Creel.
Sent 75000 “four-minute men” to give patriotic speeches
Created propaganda posters encouraging people to join, support, or finance the war
Leaflets and pamphlets told the ideals of the war
Created movie shorts and propagnada films (often starring Charlie Chaplin)
Patriotic songs were promotedSlide5
American
PropagandaSlide6
“Over There”
Johnnie get your gun, get you gun, get your gun,
Take it on the run, on the run, on the run,
Hear them calling you and me;
Every son of Liberty
Hurry right away, no delay, go today,
Make your daddy glad to have had such a lad
Tell your sweetheart not to pine,
To be proud her boy's in line.
Chorus:
Over There, Over ThereSend the word, send the word, Over ThereThat the Yanks are coming, The Yanks are coming,The drums rum tumming everywhereSo prepare, Say a PrayerSend the word,Send the word to bewareWe'll be over, we're coming over.And we won't be back till it's over over there!Johnnie get your gun, get you gun, get your gun,
Johnnie show the Hun, you're a Son-of-a-Gun,
Hoist the flag and let her fly
Like true heros do or die
Pack your little kit, show your grit, do your bit,
Soldiers to the ranks from the towns and the tanks,Make your Mother proud of you and to Liberty be true. Slide7
The Draft
U.S. needed massive military force
Draft implemented for men 18-45
No longer allowed to purchase an exemption
24 million registered; 6.4m actually called into service
Supposed to get six months training – were lucky to get six weeks
Women served as nurses, and blacks served in segregated units, mostly as support staff
New York City men wait to register for the draftSlide8
Anti-German Sentiment
German-Americans were largely loyal to the United States, but were branded as spies and saboteurs.
German names were re-branded to more “patriotic” names.Slide9
War Industries Board and National War Labor Board
War Industries Board: created to coordinate production of materials for the war effort
National War Labor Board: created to settle any worker disputes and keep people on the job
Businesses were encouraged to keep wages high and hours long
Supported by AFL – patriotic duty
Not supported by IWW (Wobblies) – detrimental to future labor effortsSlide10
Food and Fuel
Administrations
Food Administration: Headed by Herbert Hoover, it relied on volunteer efforts to conserve food for the soldiers; was wildly popular
Meatless Mondays,
Wheatless
Wednesdays, etc.
Encouraged citizens to plant victory gardens to relieve food for the war effortSlide11
Food and Fuel Administration
Fuel Administration: Not nearly as popular; Lightless Nights, Heatless Tuesdays
Instituted Daylight Saving Time to help conserve energy and fuel.Slide12
America on the Move
The Great Migration – Millions of African Americans moved to Northern industrial cities to fill jobs left by men who left for war.
Influx of Mexican immigrants into Southwest
Vastly changed
demographics, leading to racial tensionSlide13
The Influenza EpidemicSlide14
Epidemic!: The Spanish Flu
The Spanish flu quickly spread around Europe and the United States
Killed soldiers and civilians alike
20
million people worldwide…
DOUBLE
the number of soldiers killed in WWI!Slide15
Espionage and Sedition Acts
Espionage Act:
sought to prosecute “spies”
1,900 prosecutions followed, including Eugene V. Debs, the Socialist leader
Sedition Act:
sought to prosecute anyone engaging in “seditious” activity
Essentially negated the first amendment
Trading With the Enemy
Act:
sought to prosecute those who traded with the Central Powers during wartime
Also imprisoned
those who communicated with the enemy.Slide16
Protecting Liberties?
ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union
Created to protect the basic rights of Americans; used legal system to protect citizens and release the unrightfully imprisoned
Schenck
v. United States:
the Supreme Court invented the famous "clear and present danger" test to determine when a state could limit an individual's right to free speechSlide17
11, 11, 11
The war officially ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th Month of the year 1918
Nov. 11, 1918 @ 11am
The anniversary of the end of the war became known as Armistice Day; now known as Veterans Day.Slide18
Ending the War: The Armistice
November 11, 1918
Temporary agreement to stop fighting
Peace negotiations and treaty followedSlide19
Number of Deaths