Transcript Supporting the War Effort

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