The Home Front

US Economy in WWI War Industries Board (WIB) Produced war materials Food Administration Conserve food, rationing Victory gardens Families grew own veggies, “Meatless Tuesdays” Saved resources like coal and oil Raised income tax Liberty bonds - $20 billion

Shaping Public Opinion Committee on Public Information (CPI) publishes propaganda to “sell” the war Arranged speeches to be given at movie theaters and public events Limited right to against the war Espionage Act of 1917 Made it illegal to aid the enemy, give false reports, or interfere with the war effort Sedition Act of 1917 Made it illegal to speak against the war National security

Schenck v US 1917 Charles Schenck mailed pamphlets criticizing the draft Convicted of violating the Espionage Act Supreme Court ruled the gov’t has the authority to limit free speech in certain situations

The Workforce To prevent strikes, the gov’t established the National War Labor Board (NWLB) Pressured industry to improve wages ,adopt 8hr work day and allow unions the right to organize and bargain Labor leaders agreed not to disrupt war production with strikes Union membership increased by 1 million

The War’s Impact on the US

An Economy in Turmoil Soldiers welcomed home – 2 million needed jobs 1919 – recession Businesses raised prices that they were forced to keep low during the war Inflation rose prices over 15%, increases cost of living Inflation leads to strikes Companies forced to raise wages during the war Inflation causes increased operating costs , businesses have to cut wages By the end of 1919, more that 3600 strikes involving more than 4 million workers

Racial Unrest Great migration – thousands of African Americans move north for job opportunities (mostly factory jobs) Returning soldiers couldn’t get jobs Some whites blamed African American’s Racism produced violence Race riots broke out across the nation Burned businesses & homes of African Amer. Chicago race riot lasted for 2 weeks National Guard brought in 38 died NAACP increased in membership Fight for rights against discrimination

The Red Scare Russia becomes Communist after WWI Relationship with Russia is declining Fear of conspiracy in the US Strikes of 1919 fueled that the “reds” might seize power Strikes may start a revolution Nationwide panic = Red Scare Palmer Raids Series of raids on the Department of Justice Led by A. Mitchell Palmer Intended to capture, arrest and deport anarchists and communists

The Election of 1920 Economic problems, labor unrest ,and racial tensions created a divided US “Return to normalcy” – Warren G Harding Harding becomes President and appeals to the American people Build a more prosperous and stable society