1. WWI
The War At Home
In April, 1917, Congress declares war on Germany

2. Congress Gives Power To Wilson
To deal with the shift towards a war economy, Congress gave President Wilson direct control over much of the economy, including the power to fix prices and to regulate certain war-related industries.
Example – Force a factory to change from making cars to making tanks.

3. The main regulatory body established in 1917
War Industries Board
The main regulatory body established in 1917
Promoted mass production techniques to increase efficiency, set production quotas, and allocated raw materials.
Industrial production increased by 20%
Sum # 6

4. Price controls were used at the wholesale level, making retail prices soar (govt. was buying in bulk, made single items for individual consumers expensive)
Another regulatory body, the Fuel Administration promoted conservation of energy and introduced daylight-saving time to take advantage of the longer days of summer.
Members of Congress set a clock ahead one hour in the 1st daylight saving time
1918

5. Blue collar workers saw wages increase by 20% during wartime.
War Economy
Blue collar workers saw wages increase by 20% during wartime.
A households income was undercut, however, by rising inflation. (while workers were making more $, stuff cost more)
Stockholders in large corporations saw enormous profits
National War Labor Board was set up to control the rise of labor unions; keep war production moving smoothly
Munitions and aircraft workers

6. Set up to help preserve and conserve food
Food Administration
Set up to help preserve and conserve food
President urged Americans to follow rules about certain types of food consumption.
Americans planted “Victory Gardens” in their yards and parks.
Food Administration set high prices on wheat and other staple foods increasing farmers income by 30%
Sum # 7