supporting the war effort

Supporting the War Effort

What steps did the U.S. government take to prepare the nation for war?

Building the MilitaryLegislation Passed or Organization Created

Selective Service Act (1917)-all men between 21 & 30 must register as soldiers.

Important People and Their RolePreparedness Movement-wanted to increase military.Peace Movement-wanted to use money to fix U.S.

problems.Other Important Details

Over 4 million men served in WWI, but only 2 million were in combat.

Maintaining the Food SupplyLegislation Passed or Organization Created

Food Administration-made sure there was enough food for citizens and troops.

Important People and Their RoleHerbert Hoover created the F.A.

Other Important DetailsCreated “rationing” or limiting food.“Victory gardens” grown to produce food for troops.

Shaping Public OpinionLegislation Passed or Organization Created

Propaganda-posters that used images and words to persuade people’s opinion about the war.

Important People and Their Role“Four Minute Men”-hired to read speeches in the street

or on radio to persuade listeners about the war.

Other Important DetailsPosters & cartoons were created.

Industrial ProductionLegislation Passed or Organization Created

War Industry Board (WIB)-switch production of products to help with war. Ex. Panty hose factory now made parachutes.

Important People and Their RoleWomen-took jobs over for menBlacks-moved from the South to the North to work

called the “Great Migration”Other Important Details

Sold “liberty bonds” to Americans to help pay for war debt.

Suppressing DissentLegislation Passed or Organization Created

Sedition & Espionage Act (1917)-illegal to talk negatively about the U.S. resulting in going to jail.

Important People and Their RoleEugene V. Debs-jailed for making anti-war speeches.

Other Important DetailsName changes against German wordsEx. Frankfurters = hotdog

Getting Everyone OnboardDespite the “Preparedness

Movement” the U.S. economy was not ready to meet the needs of modern warfare

The U.S. army was only about 100,000 men and ranked 17th in the world

Wilson, who had promised peace and neutrality, now had to changes the hearts and minds of the American people

PropagandaIn order to “get people

onboard” the U.S. government launched the largest propaganda campaign in history

These techniques are designed to fool us because they appeal to our emotions rather than to our reason.

Propaganda AnalysisLook at the examples of

propaganda givenWhat method(s) is/are being

used here?What is the government

trying to get people to do?What audience is this

propaganda targeting?

Propaganda AssignmentYou will be creating your own propaganda.Please choose a topic to persuade people:

Join the military (any branch)Become a nurseRation and save foodBuy liberty bondsSupport the troops

Please follow the directions on the propaganda worksheet to gain full credit