Militarism Imperialism / Isolationism

Alliances Nationalism

Causes of World War I

M.A.I.N.

- Build up of a country’s army,Always have a large standingArmy, just in case they areNeeded. Glorify your militaryPower!

- Larger country overtakingSmaller country to exploit theirLabor, land, and resources.

- US Policy to mind its Own business, neutrality,Don’t take sides!

- Complex system of alliancesThat dragged dozens ofCountries into the conflict.

- Deep love of one’s country.- Small countries wanted theirIndependence from largerCountries (Balkans).

Note Page 32Chapter 8

“The Home Front”

US History

By Morgan J. Burris Lexington middle School

To fight World War One, the American government used progressive ideas and new

government agencies to mobilize the population and organize the economy.

War Industries Board – Est. 1917, to coordinate the production of war materials.

- Allocate resources, set prices, manage production.

Wartime Agencies:

Victory Gardens – Americans encouraged to produce food at home.

Wheatless Mondays, Meatless Tuesdays, Porkless Thursdays. Daylight Savings – Conserve energy

/ Heatless Mondays

Conservation Efforts:

1. National War Labor Board – Prevent strikes,

keep war production factories going.

Mobilizing the Workforce:

2. Women’s Role: Women fill men’s traditional jobs

– manufacturing, police, railroads, etc. Proved women could do men’s work

- Greatly help Suffrage Movement.

3. “Great Migration” Thousands of African Americans migrated North to work in factories.4. Mexican American Thousands of Hispanics moved out of South to fill vacant jobs in North. Settled in communities across country.

1. Selling the War: Committee on Public Information – gov’t must

“sell” war to American public. - publications, pamphlets, news stories, etc. “Four Minute Men” – Support war effort, buy bonds, turn in draft dodgers, etc. Liberty Bonds – Bond sold to finance war.

Shaping Public Opinion:

2. Civil Liberties Curtailed: Espionage – spying to acquire gov’t information. Sedition Act – illegal to speak out against the war.

Schenck v. US - Supreme Court upheld right of gov’t to limit speech when they are

“clear and present” danger.

Selective Service Act – Drafted over 3 million troops, train 9 months.

Seen as an Adventure, quickly learned different. Problem with Transporting Troops,

Convoy across Atlantic

Volunteers & Conscription:

Flu Epidemic – 1918 worldwide outbreak More died of flu than of war / fighting ¼ American caught it, ½ million died.

African American Troops - over 400,000 served, mostly non-combat.

Segregated Unit, some shipped to France to fight

Women Join the Military:

First war women officially served in Armed Services. Clerical work, nurses, radio operators, pharmacists, photographers.

Army never accepted them, only nurses sent overseas.

Note Page 32 / Chapter 8

“The Home Front”

The End

By Morgan J. Burris Lexington Middle School