1. World War I
The Home Front

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Building the Military
Selective Service Act of 1917  Required all men between the ages of 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

12. 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
Influenza epidemic spread around the world, killing an estimated million people

13. 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

14. 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