EOC Day 5
SS.912.A.4.5 Examine causes, course, and consequences of
United States involvement in World War I.
SS.912.A.4.6 Examine how the United States
government prepared the nation for war with war measures (Selective Service Act, War Industries Board, war bonds, Espionage Act, Sedition Act, Committee of Public Information).
Selective Service Act
Required registration of all men ages 18 through 45. Results:
The draft proved effective Within months, army increased from about 200,000 to
over 4 million. 400,000 blacks drafted or enlisted (segregated units) For the first time, women admitted to the armed
forces: 11,000 to the navy and 269 to the marines. Yet, 337,000 "slackers" escaped the draft and about
4,000 were excused 10,000 prosecuted before the war ended.
War Industries Board Formed by President Wilson late in war after significant political battles
with Congress. President Wilson took firm control of major American businesses under
emergency war powers. Aimed to control raw materials, production, prices and labor relations. War Bonds
Sold to raise money for the war effort Espionage Act
Provided for a $10,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison for persons aiding the enemy, inciting rebellion in the military, or obstructing draft recruitment.
Sedition Act
Provided for a $10,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison forbidding any criticism of the government, flag, or uniform (even if insignificant) in print or in speech.
Resulted in 1,900 prosecutions radical union Industrial Workers of the World (IWW or Wobblies) were targeted.
Committee of Public Information 1. Headed by George
Creel, a young journalist. Established voluntary censorship of the press. Employed about 150,000 workers at home and overseas
Sent out 75,000 "four-minute men" to deliver speeches (including movie stars)
Propaganda included posters, leaflets and pamphlets and anti-German movies.
Set-up volunteer Liberty Leagues in every community and urged members to spy on neighbors especially with foreign names and to report any suspicious words or actions to the justice department.
SS.912.A.4.7 Examine the impact of airplanes,
battleships, new weaponry, and chemical warfare in creating new war strategies (trench warfare, convoys).
SS.912.A.4.8 Compare the experiences
Americans (African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, women, conscientious objectors) had while serving in Europe.
African Americans
Placed in segregated units Given the more dangerous assignments Significant migration for war jobs
Women encouraged to enter industry and agriculture
(farmerettes)
War experience
Hispanic Americans
Filled combat roles First real assimilation with mainstream society
Asians Able to become citizens after serving in the
military Several thousand Chinese, Japanese, korean,
Vietnamese, and Filipinos served
Conscientious objectors Granted the right to serve in non-combat rolls About 2000 refused to cooperate Later given the option to work in farm service or
relief work in France
SS.912.A.4.9 Compare how the war impacted
German Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Jewish Americans, Native Americans, women, and dissenters in the United States.
African American
Moved from the South to the North Attempted to win the respect of white neighbors Race riots in the North caused by racism
experience Figthting in WWI started the civil rights
movement
Effect on Citizens
German Americans
Became second class citizens due to fear of the German forces
Asian Americans Became citizens due to service in the Military
Jewish Americans Favored the Treaty of Versailles because it gave
control of Palestine which was a step towards a Jewish Homeland
Women
Entered the workforce and did not want to go back to home life after
Changed the family dynamic forever Dissenters
Due to the Espionage act and Sedition act many dissenters were charged with being a traitor
SS.912.A.4.10 Examine the provisions of the
Treaty of Versailles and the failure of the United States to support the League of Nations.
Big Four: President Wilson of the U.S., Prime Minister David Lloyd George of Great Britain; Premier Georges Clemenceau of France, Premier Vittorio Orlando of Italy. President Wilson’s goal was to create a world parliament to be known as the League of Nations. Article 231 of the Versailles Treaty ("war-guilt" clause) Placed sole blame for WWI on Germany. Germany obliged to
pay reparations to the Allies was $31 billion over 30 years.
Treaty of Versailles
Isolationists opposed the League of nations Some believed the treaty wasn’t harsh enough
on the Germans Sauerkraut named “liberty cabbage” and
German sausages named “liberty sausage” Treaty Defeated by Senator Henry Cabot
Lodge due to lack of support from Republicans
American reaction to the Treaty
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