World War I Enrichment
US Military in the Great War
Although World War I began in 1914, the United States did not join the war until 1917. The impact of the United States joining the war was significant. The additional firepower, resources, and soldiers of the U.S. helped to tip the balance of the war in favor of the Allies. U.S. Forces in Europe The U.S. army in Europe was under the command of General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing. At first, the U.S. had few trained troops to send over to Europe. However, the army was quickly built up through volunteers and the draft (after passage of the Selective Service Act). By the end of the war around 2 million U.S. troops were in France. The American army was referred to as the American Expeditionary Forces, or AEF. They were often called "Doughboys" as a nickname, though no one is quite sure where the nickname originated. The U.S. troops arrived just in time to turn the tide of the war in favor of the Allies. Both sides were exhausted and running out of soldiers, especially after the Russians dropped out of the war after the beginning of the Russian Revolution. The influx of fresh troops helped to boost the morale of the Allies and played a major role in the defeat of the Germans African Americans were drafted on the same basis as whites and made up 13% of the draftees. By the end of the war, over 350,000 African-Americans had served in AEF units on the Western Front. However, they were assigned to segregated units commanded by white officers. One fifth of the black soldiers sent to France saw combat, compared to two-thirds of the whites. |
Who are the American soldiers?
–over 2 million served –Most young, uneducated –20% were foreign born –400,000 African Americans (served in segregated army units only) –Received an average of 8 months of training –Women were recruited as nurses and in noncombat positions in navy and marines –Conscientious Objectors served in non combat positions |
Take the quiz on the US in WWI here. https://goo.gl/forms/2ysaXilq7aDRgwjV2
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On the Homefront
Back in the United States, citizens dealt with several issues related to the war.
1. The Draft - In 1917 the administration decided to rely primarily on conscription, rather than voluntary enlistment, to raise military manpower for World War I under the Selective Service Act. The act established a "liability for military service of all male citizens"; authorized a selective draft of all those between 21 and 31 years of age (later from 18 to 45); and prohibited all forms of bounties, substitutions, or purchase of exemptions (in other words - you couldn't buy your way out). Administration was entrusted to local boards composed of leading civilians in each community. These boards issued draft calls in order of numbers drawn in a national lottery and determined exemptions. In 1917 and 1918 some 24 million men were registered and nearly 3 million inducted into the military services. In the United States during World War I, conscientious objectors were permitted to serve in noncombatant military roles. About 2000 absolute conscientious objectors refused to cooperate in any way with the military. These men were imprisoned in military facilities such as Alcatraz Island (California) and Fort Leavenworth (Kansas). Some were subjected to treatment such as short rations, solitary confinement and physical abuse severe enough as to cause the deaths of two draftees.
2. Personal Rights and Freedoms - The Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 attempted to punish enemy activity and extended to the punishment expressions of doubt about America's role in the war. The Sedition Act criminalized any expression of opinion that used "disloyal, profane, scurrilous or abusive language" about the U.S. government, flag or armed forces. Government police action, private vigilante groups and public war hysteria threatened the civil liberties of many Americans who disagreed with Wilson's policies. This led to cases like Schenck vs. the United States where the Supreme Court ruled that freedom of speech can be limited when it is interfering with other's protection or presents a "clear and present danger" to the safety of the public.
3. Food - The U.S. Food Administration under Herbert Hoover launched a massive campaign to teach Americans to economize on their food budgets and grow victory gardens in their backyards. It managed the nation's food rationing and prices. On top of 'wheatless Wednesdays' and 'meatless Tuesdays', there were 'fuelless Mondays' and 'gasless Sundays' to preserve coal and gasoline.
4. Women - World War I saw many women taking traditionally men's jobs for the first time in American history. Many worked on the assembly lines of factories, producing tanks, trucks and munitions (bullets and ammo). For the first time, department stores employed African American women as elevator operators and cafeteria waitresses. The Food Administration helped housewives prepare more nutritious meals with less waste and with optimum use of the foods available. Most important, the morale of the women remained high, as millions joined the Red Cross as volunteers to help soldiers and their families, and with rare exceptions, the women did not protest the draft.
5. German-Americans - When the war began, obvious examples of German culture came under attack. Many churches cut back or ended their German language services. German parochial schools switched to the use of English in the classroom. Courses in German were dropped from public high school curricula. Some street names were changed and things with German names like Saurkraut were called more American names like "Liberty Cabbage".
6. Funding the War - Elaborate propaganda campaigns were launched to encourage Americans to buy Liberty bonds. Americans were encouraged to do their patriotic duty by buying war bonds from the government to help fund the war.
1. The Draft - In 1917 the administration decided to rely primarily on conscription, rather than voluntary enlistment, to raise military manpower for World War I under the Selective Service Act. The act established a "liability for military service of all male citizens"; authorized a selective draft of all those between 21 and 31 years of age (later from 18 to 45); and prohibited all forms of bounties, substitutions, or purchase of exemptions (in other words - you couldn't buy your way out). Administration was entrusted to local boards composed of leading civilians in each community. These boards issued draft calls in order of numbers drawn in a national lottery and determined exemptions. In 1917 and 1918 some 24 million men were registered and nearly 3 million inducted into the military services. In the United States during World War I, conscientious objectors were permitted to serve in noncombatant military roles. About 2000 absolute conscientious objectors refused to cooperate in any way with the military. These men were imprisoned in military facilities such as Alcatraz Island (California) and Fort Leavenworth (Kansas). Some were subjected to treatment such as short rations, solitary confinement and physical abuse severe enough as to cause the deaths of two draftees.
2. Personal Rights and Freedoms - The Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 attempted to punish enemy activity and extended to the punishment expressions of doubt about America's role in the war. The Sedition Act criminalized any expression of opinion that used "disloyal, profane, scurrilous or abusive language" about the U.S. government, flag or armed forces. Government police action, private vigilante groups and public war hysteria threatened the civil liberties of many Americans who disagreed with Wilson's policies. This led to cases like Schenck vs. the United States where the Supreme Court ruled that freedom of speech can be limited when it is interfering with other's protection or presents a "clear and present danger" to the safety of the public.
3. Food - The U.S. Food Administration under Herbert Hoover launched a massive campaign to teach Americans to economize on their food budgets and grow victory gardens in their backyards. It managed the nation's food rationing and prices. On top of 'wheatless Wednesdays' and 'meatless Tuesdays', there were 'fuelless Mondays' and 'gasless Sundays' to preserve coal and gasoline.
4. Women - World War I saw many women taking traditionally men's jobs for the first time in American history. Many worked on the assembly lines of factories, producing tanks, trucks and munitions (bullets and ammo). For the first time, department stores employed African American women as elevator operators and cafeteria waitresses. The Food Administration helped housewives prepare more nutritious meals with less waste and with optimum use of the foods available. Most important, the morale of the women remained high, as millions joined the Red Cross as volunteers to help soldiers and their families, and with rare exceptions, the women did not protest the draft.
5. German-Americans - When the war began, obvious examples of German culture came under attack. Many churches cut back or ended their German language services. German parochial schools switched to the use of English in the classroom. Courses in German were dropped from public high school curricula. Some street names were changed and things with German names like Saurkraut were called more American names like "Liberty Cabbage".
6. Funding the War - Elaborate propaganda campaigns were launched to encourage Americans to buy Liberty bonds. Americans were encouraged to do their patriotic duty by buying war bonds from the government to help fund the war.
Propaganda
What is Propaganda?
Noun:
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Propaganda can be used in advertising, politics, or journalism. Propaganda can be used to make one side look good or another side look bad. It can be outright lies or just twisting the truth or misleading the reading. Propaganda can be written, spoken, or visual (like pictures or posters). During wartime, propaganda is often used for several purposes.
Wartime Propaganda During war, propaganda can be used for: - encouraging nationalism (getting people to support the war) - getting soldiers to enlist (join the military) - getting citizens to loan money to the government to support the war effort (buy war bonds or liberty bonds) - encouraging citizens to save supplies that may be rationed or in short supply (help on the homefront) Tools in Propaganda Common Tools used in wartime propaganda Demonization - this tool involves portraying the enemy as purely evil, menacing, murderous and aggressive. The propagandist attempts to remove all confusion and ambiguity about whom the public should hate. The enemy may be portrayed as a hairy beast or the devil himself. This tool becomes more powerful when the enemy can be blamed for committing atrocities against women, children, or other non-combatants. Emotional Appeals - This told involves playing on people's emotions to promote hte war effort. Since the strongest emotion is often fear, propagandists create their work based on the idea that the more frightened a person is by a communication, the more likely he or she is to take action. Thus, propagandists are careful to explain in detail the action that they want the consumer of the propaganda to carry out. Name Calling - This tool involves using loaded labels to encourage hatred of the enemy. Labels like "Commies," "Japs," or "Huns" (Germans) reinforce negative stereotypes and assist propagandists in demonizing the enemy. Patriotic Appeals - This tool involves using patriotic language or symbols to appeal to people's national pride. Half-Truths or Lies - This tool involves deception or twisting the truth. The propagandist may attempt to include some element of truth in the propaganda to make an argument more persuasive. For example, blaming the enemy for complete responsibility for the war and portraying one's own country as a victim of aggression is a common propaganda tool. Catchy Slogans - This tool involves using memorable phrases to foster support for the war effort. For example, short phrases like "Remember the Maine" and "Remember the Alamo!" have been very successful in motivating American to strongly support the use of arms against Spain and Mexico in the past. Humor or Caricatures - This tool involves capturing the viewer's attention through the use of humor to promote the war effort. The enemy is almost always the butt of the jokes used by propagandists. |
BEFORE YOU GO ON, Follow these directions closely.
1. Follow this link to try a few practice questions about WWI propaganda purposes and techniques. https://goo.gl/forms/GCiHtMILPF2WCG8F3 When you are done, choose "View accuracy" to see an explanation. You really need to do this activity before you go on. If you do the chart incorrectly it will be returned to you to re-do.
1. Follow this link to try a few practice questions about WWI propaganda purposes and techniques. https://goo.gl/forms/GCiHtMILPF2WCG8F3 When you are done, choose "View accuracy" to see an explanation. You really need to do this activity before you go on. If you do the chart incorrectly it will be returned to you to re-do.
Now, look at the following posters and complete the chart to indicate the purpose (enlistment, nationalism, conserve supplies, raise money) and technique (or techniques) used (patriotic appeal, half-truth or lies, catchy slogans, humor/caricature, emotional appeals, demonization). Explain how you know what the technique is - give examples from the poster. If you have not done the practice quiz on propaganda yet - go back and do that first. If you turn in your chart and you have not chosen from the list given above or have not explained the technique it will be returned to you to re-do for not following directions.
Turn in your worksheet when done. If you have time once you finish try out a World War I simulation on trench warfare here http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/worldwarone/hq/games.shtml.
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