The US entered WWI in 1917 and needed to rapidly raise and equip an army. A draft was instituted that selected men ages 21-30. Nearly 2.8 million Americans were drafted and 2 million volunteered. African Americans faced discrimination but over 250,000 were still drafted. Women entered non-combat military roles for the first time. The government encouraged food conservation and raised funds through war bonds. The economy boomed as industry ramped up production and new migrants filled jobs. However, dissent was suppressed through propaganda and new laws restricting free speech.

1. AP
The Home Front
The “War to End All Wars”
Armies on both sides in Europe
were annihilated and spent.
When the US entered WWI
many men would need to be
drafted in order to meet the
needs of war.

2. The Draft
• A new system called the Selective
Service Act run by the military would
draft all men between 21 and 30 years
of age. A lottery system would select
men to come before a draft board to be
interviewed. Eventually about 2.8
million Americans were drafted.
Approximately 2 million volunteered.
These groups became known as the
American Expeditionary Force (AEF)

3. African Americans
• Nearly 250,000 were drafted and
drafted and about 50,000 fought
overseas. They encountered
discrimination and prejudice in the
army. They served in racially
segregated units. Despite these
challenged, many fought with
distinctions.

5. Camp Logan
• In 1917 taking advantage of the temperate
climate and newly opened Houston Ship
Channel, the War department ordered two
military installations built in Harris County—
Camp Logan and Ellington Field.
• Largest Court-martial in the history of the US
army.

6. IQ Test
• Developed by the American Psychological
Association to measure intelligence. These
tests were less accurate in measuring
intelligence than in measuring the amount of
education people had.

7. Women
• WWI was the first war in which
women officially served in the
armed forces—noncombat
positions—as clerical workers,
radio operators, electricians,
pharmacists, nurses and
photographers.

10. Mobilizing the Civilians
• In order to increase food production while
reducing civilian consumption, the Food
Administration encouraged Americans to save
food on their own—using slogans like:
• “Food will win the war—Don’t waste it”
• Wheatless Mondays, Meatless Tuesdays
• Victory Gardens

11. Paying for the War
• War cost money—the gov. raised the money 3
ways
• Congress raised income tax rates. The
government also borrowed over $20 billion
from the American people and by selling
Liberty Bonds and Victory Bonds. The US
government agreed to pay back the Americans
who bought bonds plus interest. Posters
encouraged people to buy the bolds as an act
of patriotism.

15. Mobilizing the Workforce
• Bernard Baruch director of
War Industries Board had
enormous power to make
decisions.

16. • The National War Labor Board was established
to make sure labor and unions worked
together to prevent strikes

17. Social Results of the War
• Women filled industrial jobs
vacated by men serving in the
military—temporary jobs.

18. The Great Migration
• African Americans in the South
migrated North to take jobs in
factories producing war materials.
Between 300,000 and 500,000
African Americans left to settle in
cities like Chicago, New York,
Cleveland and Detroit.

20. Mexicans Head North
• Over 100,000 Mexicans migrated North into
Texas, Arizona, California and New Mexico
providing labor for the farms and ranches of
the Southwest, as well as, tens of thousands
of Mexican Americans headed north to
Chicago, St. Louis and other cities to take
wartime factory jobs. Many faced hostility and
discrimination, and like many immigrants
before they settled in their own separate
neighborhoods.

21. Economic Results
• Industrial production soared
• Manufacturing activity expanded in regions
that had not had any—west coast—ship
building
• Employment increased
• Farm prices rose to their highest levels in
decades

22. Selling the War and Suppressing
Dissent
• Spontaneous Patriotism—what does that look
like?

23. • Volunteering for the Red Cross
• Cheering on the President and the boys
overseas
• Prayers for the President and soldiers
• Buying war bonds
• Children saving their money to support the
war

24. Committee on Public Information
CPI
• Accusations of disloyalty toward anyone who
disagrees
• Propaganda
• Pro war Literature
• War poster
• Passage of the Espionage Act of 1917-which
created stiff [penalties for spying, sabotage, or
obstruction of the war effort
• Post office allowed to open mail
• Sedition Act of May 16-expanded powers

25. Lawlessness and Violence and Spy
Groups
• American Protective League
• National Security League
• The Boy Spies of America
• The American Defense Society

26. Who was Targeted
• Immigrants
• Irish Americans
• Germans