the home front during wwi
TRANSCRIPT
The Home Front during WWI
http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/overthere.htm
24,000,000 men registered for the draft by the end of 1918
4,800,000 men served in WWI (2,000,000 saw active combat)
400,000 African-Americansserved in segregated units
15,000 Native-Americans served as scouts, messengers, and snipers in non-segregated units
1917 Selective Service Act
“Great Migration.” 1916 – 1919
70,000
War industries work
Enlistment in segregated units
Opportunities for African Americans during WWI
· The War Industries Board told factories what to produce and the War Labor Board settled labor disputes
Labor 'Women working in larger munitions factories were known as Canaries because they dealt with TNT which caused their skin to turn yellow. Around 400 women died from overexposure to TNT during World War One. Other hazards were more obvious and minor problems were common.'From the biography of a 'Munitionette', Miss Joan Williams
The Role of Women in WWI
Women in the military– Army Nursing Corps 10,000 overseas
– Navy clerical duties, radio operators
War Industries Board – Bernard BaruchFood Administration – Herbert HooverFuel Administration – Railroad Administration – William McAdooNational War Labor Board – W. H.Taft & Frank P. Walsh
Organizing the War Effort at Home
Food Administration“Wheatless Mondays” “Meatless Tuesdays” “Porkless Thursdays”
Fuel Administration
Liberty Bonds and Victory Bonds
Committee on Public Information
Espionage ActEspionage Act – 1917
- forbade actions that obstructed recruitment or efforts to promote insubordination in the military.
- ordered the Postmaster General to remove Leftist
materials from the mail.
- fines of up to $10,000 and/or up to 20 years in prison.
How far are YOU willing to go for your country?
Sedition ActSedition Act – 1918 - it was a crime to speak against the purchase of war bonds or willfully utter, print, write or publish any disloyal, profane, or abusive language about this form of US Govt., the US
Constitution, or the US armed forces or to willfully urge, incite, or advocate any curtailment of production of things necessary or essential to the prosecution of the war…with intent of such curtailment to cripple or hinder the US in the prosecution of the war.
How far are YOU willing to go for your country?