The Home Front

• “War is no longer Sampson with his shield and spear and sword, and David with his sling. It is the conflict of smokestacks now, and the combat of the driving wheel and the engine.”

• “It is not an army we must shape and train for war, it is a nation.”

War Economy

• From consumer goods to war supplies– Wilson given power to control economy, fix

prices, regulate industries– War Industries Board (WIB)• Bernard Baruch• Mass production and eliminating waste

War Economy

• Fuel Administration– “gasless Sundays” and

“lightless nights”– Daylight Savings Time • (vs. time zones)

War Economy

• National War Labor Board– Taft– “work or fight” but some

improvements

War Economy

• Food Administration – Herbert Hoover• “Food will win the war”

– No rationing, but “gospel of the clean plate”• “- less days”• “victory gardens”• “patriotic to the core”

The Next Plague

• International flu epidemic hit U.S.– From France via Chinese war workers

• ¼ of U.S. population ill– 500,000 died; 40 million dead worldwide

• Economic effects– Business closed, alternate work schedules, coffins

• Today– 40,000 in U.S. die each year; 200,000 in hospital– Recent flu season? Upcoming flu season?

Selling the War

• “Victory / Liberty Bond” drives• Propaganda campaign– Quiet critics, justify civilian sacrifices– 2 parts• Promote patriotism, create hate

– Committee of Public Information (CPI)• George Creel• Artists and advertisers to promote war• Books, pamphlets, movies

Propaganda

• Formats– Posters, brochures, ads, movies, songs, stories

• Techniques– Name calling, testimonial, plain-folks,

euphemisms, band wagon, patriotism, fear

• Persuasive images vs. persuasive wording

Homefront

• America in World War I: Crash Course US History #30– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y59wErqg4Xg 5:50-10:20