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