4/25/12 Financing the War Chapter 19 Sec1on 4 Americans on the Homefront Managing the Economy •  The government called on industry to switch from producing commercial goods to war goods. •  The government borrowed money from the people by selling liberty bonds that could later be redeemed for the original value plus interest. •  This raised more than $20 billion New Agencies •  The War Industries Board oversaw the na1on’s war‐related produc1on. •  It gave out raw materials, told manufacturers what and how much to produce, and fixed prices. •  The War Trade Board licensed foreign trade and punished firms suspected of dealing with the enemy. Regula9ng Food and Fuel Consump9on •  The Na1onal Labor Board worked to seQle disputes that might disrupt the war effort. •  The Labor Policies Board set standards for wages, hours, and working condi1ons. •  In August 1917, Congress passed the Lever Food and Fuel Control Act, giving the President the power to manage the produc1on and distribu1on of foods and fuels vital to the war effort. 1 4/25/12 Review •  The Food Administra1on worked to increase farm output, reduce waste, impose price controls, and ra1on food. •  How did the government finance the war? •  What was the job of the War Industries Board? •  How was food regulated during the war? •  The Fuel Administra1on sponsored gasless days to save fuel and began daylight saving 1me. Enforcing Loyalty •  News and informa1on came under federal control as the government began to censor the press, mail, and movies. •  The CommiQee on Public Informa1on was formed to rally popular support by producing films, pamphlets, and posters promo1ng the war. •  hQp://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/
1917.htm Fear of Foreigners •  The fear of espionage was widespread. •  The government feared that secret agents would try to disrupt transporta1on and communica1on systems. •  The Na1onal Security League got a literacy test passed for immigrants in an effort to stop immigra1on. “Hate the Hun” Repression of Civil Liber9es •  A general hos1lity formed against Germans, who became known as Huns. •  Anything German was banned, including teaching the language, books, music, and using German names (ex.: Hamburger became Salisbury steak). •  German Americans were some1mes aQacked, such as Robert Prager who was lynched near St. Louis. •  •  The Espionage Act made it illegal to interfere with the dra^. •  The Sedi1on Act made it illegal to obstruct the sale of Liberty Bonds or to discuss anything “disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive” about the American form of government, the Cons1tu1on, or the army or navy. •  hQp://player.discoveryeduca1on.com/index.cfm?
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CC4D‐4E79‐88C7‐66776FD19E02&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US 2 4/25/12 Review •  How did the Na1onal Security League try to stop immigrants from entering the country? •  How were German‐Americans treated during the war? •  What was the Sedi1on Act? •  The government tried to prosecute 1500 people and won over 1000 convic1ons, including socialist Eugene V. Debs. Controlling Poli9cal Radicals •  Socialists argued that workers had no stake in the war and made significant gains in the 1917 elec1on. •  The Industrial Workers of the World also gained new support with its belief that capitalism needed to be overthrown. •  Moderate labor leaders disapproved of these groups, leading to convic1ons of more than 200 IWW members and the lynching of others. Changing People’s Lives •  American patrio1sm and war fever made military service more acceptable at home. •  Social Mobility for Minori1es and Women •  The war virtually stopped the flow of immigrants from Europe. •  Due to a shortage of workers, factory owners ac1vely recruited African Americans and Mexican Americans. •  The diminished work force also created new opportuni1es for women. •  About 400,000 women joined the industrial work force for the first 1me. 3 4/25/12 Review •  How did the government try to stop radicals who opposed the war? •  What groups saw increased opportuni1es as a result of the war? 4