MS. KRALL

World War IHome Front

Review- Bell Ringer

Why did the United States remain neutral?

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Traditional policy of staying out of European affairs

Divided loyalties of Americans

Lack of preparedness

Financial advantage

April 2, 1917

Woodrow Wilson asks for a declaration of War from Congress.

Goal was to make the world safe for Democracy

Rallying Public Opinion

U.S. had only 120,000 enlisted men and 80,000 National Guardsmen.

Led to Selective Service Act of May 1917 which required all men between ages of 21-40 (later 18-45) to sign up for military service.

By November 1918 more than 24 million men had registered for the draft.

Lottery picked 3 million to serve in war.

Rallying Public Opinion

Committee of Public Information-headed by George Creel. Sent out over 75,000 men to deliver speeches (“Four minute men”) hand out posters, songs, movies.

The American Creed

A nation wide essay contest was held to create an American creed and to represent patriotism in the US.

William Tyler Page, former Congressional Page penned the winning entry in 1918.

“I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.”

Activity

What does the 1st Amendment say?“Congress shall make no law respecting an

establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Rephrase it!

During World War I

Not everyone supported the warSome Unions (IWW) did not because the relationship between govt. and business

Many had ties to Europe due to recent immigration

Restrictions on Free Speech

However, the government tried to suppress anti-government speech by passing three acts.

Sedition ActEspionage ActTrading with the Enemy Act.

Espionage Act

SECTION 3. Whoever, when the United States is at war, shall willfully make or convey false reports or false statements with intent to interfere with the operation or success of the military or naval forces of the United States, or to promote the success of its enemies, or shall willfully make or convey false reports, or false statements, . . . or incite insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty, in the military or naval forces of the United States, or shall willfully obstruct . . . the recruiting or enlistment service of the United States, or . . . shall willfully utter, print, write, or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the form of government of the United States, or the Constitution of the United States, or the military or naval forces of the United States . . . or shall willfully display the flag of any foreign enemy, or shall willfully . . . urge, incite, or advocate any curtailment of production . . . or advocate, teach, defend, or suggest the doing of any of the acts or things in this section enumerated and whoever shall by word or act support or favor the cause of any country with which the United States is at war or by word or act oppose the cause of the United States therein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than twenty years…

Sedition Act

An addition to the Espionage ActMade it a crime to “utter, print, write or

publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the United States' form of government.”

Trading with the Enemy Act

“Suspension of provisions relating to ally of enemy; regulation of transactions in foreign exchange of gold or silver, property transfers, vested interests, enforcement and penalties”

“Contracts, mortgages, or pledges against or with enemy or ally of enemy; abrogation of contracts; suspension of limitations”

Public Opinion• Anti-immigrant sentiment:

• wave of nativism strikes country

• German citizens targeted• Espionage and Sedition Act:

• Much like Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798

• a person could be fined or jailed for interfering with war effort or saying anything disloyal or profane about gov’t or war effort

• Eugene Debs went to prison for 10 yrs for violating this act

• Schenck v. United States; • legalizes that certain 1st

amendment rights can be taken away during times of war and crisis

• upholds Espionage and Sedition Acts

Securing Homeland Security

Supreme Court declared that at certain times the right to free speech can be limited if it endangers public safety in wartime. (“clear and present danger” clause.)

Stimulation the War Economy

Congress imposed a rule that made any unemployed man available to go into the war, which discouraged strikes.

War industries board- helped army to be prepared by settling any possible labor difficulties that might hamper the war effort.

The largest Union (American Federation of Labor) supported the war but the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) did not.

Stimulation the War Economy

Leaders of businesses supported govt. regulation, took a pay cut and became known as “Dollar a Year Men”

War was financed through Liberty Loans (savings bonds.)

Conservation at Home

Americans were urged to conserve materials that could be used for the war effort.

“Heatless, meatless, wheatless” days.

Fuel and Food Administrations created (Daylight savings Time.)

“Victory gardens” were created

Results of the New Organized economy

1. Unemployment virtually disappeared.2. Expansion of “big government.”3. Excessive govt. regulations 4. Close cooperation between public

and private sectors.5. Unprecedented opportunities for disadvantaged

groups.

The war affects Americans

Many German and Hungarian Americans faced discrimination.

• Women filled factory jobs and worked as nurses for he Army, Navy, and Coast Guard.

• Led to the 19th Amendment.

For African Americans

• Great Migration

• Movement of African Americans to the North

• Able to escape Jim Crow laws

• Able to fill jobs left by soldiers and decreased immigration

Those who fought were in segregated units. Two fought in combat units under French command.

369th Regiment (also called “Hell Fighters” by the Germans) was one of the few black regiments that fought actively in WW I.

Epidemic Breaks Out

World War brought disease to a new level

large groups of people were exposed to: unsanitary conditions, close working and living quarters

poor living conditions at war

Influenza (flu) outbreak of 1918 spread all over the world

1/4 of the U.S. fell victim and ½ million died

as many as 40 million dead worldwide

affected US economy—businesses temporarily closed & cities ran out of caskets

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 LibertyHurry right away, no delay, go today,Make your daddy glad to have had such a ladTell 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 flyLike true heros do or diePack 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.

Welcome Back—Bell Ringer

What was the principal Union that did not support the war?

What were the three laws passed by Congress to limit dissent during the war?