World War I The Home Front

Organizing The Economy Congress created wartime agencies to coordinate mobilization and ensure the efficient use of national resources War Industries Board (WIB)  coordinate the production of war materials Told manufacturers what they could produce, allocated raw materials, ordered construction of new factories, and set some prices Food Administration  Responsible for increasing food production and reducing civilian consumption Victory gardens  families would grow their own food and conserve food

Paying for the War United States had spent about $32 billion by the end of the war Congress raised income tax rates, placed new taxes on corporate profits, and created a new tax on the profits of arms factories Government borrowed over $20 billion through the sale of Liberty and Victory Bonds

Mobilizing the Workforce National War Labor Board  created in 1918 Headed by Taft and Frank Walsh, it attempted to mediate labor disputes that might lead to strikes Pressured industry to improve wages, adopt an 8-hour day, allow unions to organize and bargain In exchange, labor leaders agreed not to disrupt war production with strikes or other disturbances

Women Support Industry Employers became willing to hire women to do what was previously considered men’s work Almost 1 million women joined the workforce Worked in factories, shipyards, railroad yards, and served as police, mail carriers, and train engineers When the war ended, women were expected to go back to the home

Great Migration Begins Henry Ford sent agents down into the South to recruit African American workers for his factories They were promised higher wages and plentiful work if they moved north Massive population shift became known as the “great migration” African Americans in the north generally experienced more political freedom and equality

Mexican Americans Head North Political turmoil in Mexico encouraged many people to leave the nation for America Between 1917 & 1920, over 100,000 Mexicans moved to the US Provided labor for ranches and farms Others moved further north and became factory employees in cities such as St. Louis, Omaha, and Chicago They faced hostility and discrimination in their new home

Selling the War Committee on Public Information Created by President Wilson to “sell” the war to the American people Recruited advertising executives, public speakers, artists, authors, songwriters, entertainers, and motion picture companies to help influence the public’s opinion of the war Four Minute Speeches  short patriotic talks delivered in many public venues

Loss of Civil Liberties Espionage Act of 1917  Made it illegal to aid the enemy, give false reports, or interfere with the war effort Sedition Act of 1918  Made it illegal to speak against the war publically These acts allowed officials to prosecute anyone who criticized the government Courts ruled that the government could restrict speech when the words constitute a “clear and present danger” Wartime fears lead to attacks on German Americans, labor activists, socialists, and pacifists

Building the Military Selective Service Act of 1917  Required all men between the ages of 21-30 to register for the draft (forced military service) A random lottery would determine the order in which they were called before a local draft board Almost 2.8 million men were drafted due to this act

Volunteers for War Approximately 2 million men volunteered for military service Some saw this war as their opportunity for a great adventure Morale remained high among American troops, which helped lead to victory More than 50,000 soldiers died in Combat 60,000 died from disease, mostly from the Influenza epidemic of 1918-19 Influenza epidemic spread around the world, killing an estimated 25-50 million people

African Americans in the War 400, 000 African Americans were drafted, and 42,000 served overseas Encountered discrimination and prejudice in the army Served in racially segregated units, serving under white officers African Americans from the 92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions received praise for their heroics on the western front

Women Join the Military World War I was the first military conflict in which women were allowed to serve in the armed forces Women served as clerical workers and nurses Navy allowed women the rank of yeoman, while the Army refused to enlist women at all