war on the home front. in america at this point… african americans moving from one place to...
TRANSCRIPT
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War on the
Home Front
In America at this point…
African Americans moving from one place to another
Women filling positions of men
“War is no longer Samson with his shield and spear and sword, and David with his sling. It is the conflict of smokestacks now, the combat of the driving wheel and the engine” – Secretary of War Newton Baker
War Industries Board
EST. 1917 and encouraged… Mass-production
techniques Standardizing
Set Quotas
Production increases 20% under board
Retail prices soared Steel Industry War Board
Side Effects
Women’s clothing changes
Leather shoes almost disappear
“Gasless Sundays”, “Lightless nights” To help conserve fuel
Daylight savings time introduced To take advantage of the longer days of
summer
War Economy
Wages rose for some but inflation hurt others
National War Labor Board Created to deal with disputes between management and
labor “Work or fight” Tried to improve working conditions, 8 hour days, safety
inspections.
Food Administration Herbert Hoover – leader
Staff of volunteers Not focused on rationing food
As a result
American food shipments tripled!! (For allies)
Farmers income increased significantly!
Victory Gardens
Committee on Public Information
Started by George Creel Mobilized people to create
posters, paintings, cartoons to promote war!
“4 minute men” – sent to give pep talks about war Helped popularize the war.
Distributed booklets, pamphlets, leaflets in all different languages.
Financing the War
“It is not an army we must shape and train for war, it is a nation” – Wilson
Steeper income tax Taxing high incomes at a higher rate than low\
Higher excise tax On Tobacco, liquor, luxury goods
Bonds Liberty bonds Subscribing to bonds was patriotic
ANTI-IMMIGRANT HYSTERIA
Attacks against Americans born in Germany and German descendents Lost jobs Banned music Physical violence Changed names of things
Espionage (1917) & Sedition (1918) Act
Person can be fined for… Interfering with the draft Hindering the sale of bonds Saying disloyal, disrespectful or
offensive things about the government or war effort
Targeted socialists/labor leaders
6,000 arrests
1,500 conviction
Social Changes-African Americans
Most African American’s backed the war
The Great Migration Movement of hundreds/thousands of blacks from
Southern cities to Northern.
Factors of GM: Escape discrimination Ruined cotton fields Ford opened line to blacks WWI increased job opportunities in North
Many blacks able to establish themselves
Social Changes - Women
Filled jobs that had been held by men Driving cabs/trucks, railroad
workers, bricklayers, cooks, miners, shipbuilding
Filled traditional roles/ volunteer work Nurses, clerks and teachers Red Cross, victory gardens, selling
bonds
Peace Movement
1919- Nineteenth Amendment passed!
Influenza
1918 from France by Chinese war workers
¼ of U.S. population fell ill High fever,
headaches, aching muscles, pneumonia
500,000 die