Supporting the War Effort

1. Supporting the War Effort What steps did the U.S. government take to prepare the nation for war?

2. Building the Military • Legislation Passed or Organization Created • Selective Service Act (1917)-all men between 21 & 30 must register as soldiers. • Important People and Their Role • Preparedness 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.

3. Maintaining the Food Supply • Legislation Passed or Organization Created • Food Administration-made sure there was enough food for citizens and troops. • Important People and Their Role • Herbert Hoover created the F.A. • Other Important Details • Created “rationing” or limiting food. • “Victory gardens” grown to produce food for troops.

4. Shaping Public Opinion • Legislation 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 Details • Posters & cartoons were created.

5. Industrial Production • Legislation 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 Role • Women-took jobs over for men • Blacks-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.

6. Suppressing Dissent • Legislation 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 Role • Eugene V. Debs-jailed for making anti-war speeches. • Other Important Details • Name changes against German words • Ex. Frankfurters = hotdog

7. Getting Everyone Onboard • Despite 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

8. Propaganda • In 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.

9. Propaganda Analysis • Look at the examples of propaganda given • What method(s) is/are being used here? • What is the government trying to get people to do? • What audience is this propaganda targeting?

16. Propaganda Assignment • You will be creating your own propaganda. • Please choose a topic to persuade people: • Join the military (any branch) • Become a nurse • Ration and save food • Buy liberty bonds • Support the troops • Please follow the directions on the propaganda worksheet to gain full credit