War on the Home Front
War on the Home Front1Selling the WarBritain began selling
Americans on the idea of war long before its actual
involvement.Britain cut the transatlantic telegraph cable from
Europe to the U.S., limiting war news to mainly British
reports.Used propaganda posters to influence opinionLeaked stories
depicting numerous German war atrocities, e.g. Germans used corpses
to make fertilizer and soap.
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Committee on Public InformationThe Committee on Public
Information was created to sell the war; headed by George
Creel.Sent 75000 four-minute men to give patriotic speechesCreated
propaganda posters encouraging people to join, support, or finance
the warLeaflets and pamphlets told the ideals of the warCreated
movie shorts and propagnada films (often starring Charlie
Chaplin)Patriotic songs were promoted
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AmericanPropaganda4Over ThereJohnnie 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.
5Bell RingerWhich of the long-term causes (ANIMAL) of Americas
involvement in WWI do you think had the biggest impact on pushing
us towards war? Why?The DraftU.S. needed massive military
forceDraft implemented for men 18-45No longer allowed to purchase
an exemption24 million registered; 6.4m actually called into
serviceSupposed to get six months training were lucky to get six
weeksWomen served as nurses, and blacks served in segregated units,
mostly as support staff
New York City men wait to register for the draft
Anti-German SentimentGerman-Americans were largely loyal to the
United States, but were branded as spies and saboteurs.German names
were re-branded to more patriotic names.
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War Industries Board and National War Labor BoardWar Industries
Board: created to coordinate production of materials for the war
effortNational War Labor Board: created to settle any worker
disputes and keep people on the jobBusinesses were encouraged to
keep wages high and hours longSupported by AFL patriotic dutyNot
supported by IWW (Wobblies) detrimental to future labor efforts
9Food and FuelAdministrationsFood Administration: Headed by
Herbert Hoover, it relied on volunteer efforts to conserve food for
the soldiers; was wildly popularMeatless Mondays, Wheatless
Wednesdays, etc.Encouraged citizens to plant victory gardens to
relieve food for the war effort
10Food and Fuel AdministrationFuel Administration: Not nearly as
popular; Lightless Nights, Heatless Tuesdays
Instituted Daylight Saving Time to help conserve energy and
fuel.
America on the MoveThe Great Migration Millions of African
Americans moved to Northern industrial cities to fill jobs left by
men who left for war.Influx of Mexican immigrants into
SouthwestVastly changed demographics, leading to racial tension
The Influenza EpidemicEpidemic!: The Spanish FluThe Spanish flu
quickly spread around Europe and the United StatesKilled soldiers
and civilians alike20 million people worldwide DOUBLE the number of
soldiers killed in WWI!
Espionage and Sedition ActsEspionage Act: sought to prosecute
spies1,900 prosecutions followed, including Eugene V. Debs, the
Socialist leaderSedition Act: sought to prosecute anyone engaging
in seditious activityEssentially negated the first amendment
Trading With the Enemy Act: sought to prosecute those who traded
with the Central Powers during wartimeAlso imprisoned those who
communicated with the enemy.15Protecting Liberties?ACLU: American
Civil Liberties UnionCreated to protect the basic rights of
Americans; used legal system to protect citizens and release the
unrightfully imprisonedSchenck v. United States: the Supreme Court
invented the famous "clear and present danger" test to determine
when a state could limit an individual's right to free speech
11, 11, 11The war officially ended on the 11th hour of the 11th
day of the 11th Month of the year 1918Nov. 11, 1918 @ 11am The
anniversary of the end of the war became known as Armistice Day;
now known as Veterans Day.
17Ending the War: The ArmisticeNovember 11, 1918Temporary
agreement to stop fightingPeace negotiations and treaty
followed
18Number of Deaths
