The US in WWI: Mobilizing for War

Financing the War

• Key Mobilization Strategies:
  • Introduction of federal income tax by Congress.
  • Increase in personal and corporate income tax rates.
  • Establishment of new excise taxes.
  • Revenues increased from $930 million (1916) to $4.4 billion (1918).
  • Creation of Liberty Bonds raised over $20 million.
• Comparison to Progressive/Imperial Era:
  • Shift from earlier policies, focusing on economic mobilization for war efforts.
  • Mixed approval; supportive of donations but cautious about increased taxes.
• Primary Source Message:
  • Highlights significant economic changes from the Progressive/Imperial Era.
  • Government encouraged citizens to see it as their duty to support war efforts.

Selling the War

• Key Mobilization Strategies:
  • Formation of the Committee on Public Information.
  • Use of "Four-Minute Men," films, and new divisions for propaganda.
• Comparison to Progressive/Imperial Era:
  • Shift from societal reform to large-scale propaganda.
  • Skeptical approval due to government manipulation of public opinion.
• Primary Source Message:
  • Shift from neutrality to active war participation.
  • Government shaped public opinion to support the war.

Industry and Labor

• Key Mobilization Strategies:
  • Creation of the War Industry Board to mobilize resources.
  • Establishment of the National War Labor Board to maintain a strong labor force.
• Comparison to Progressive/Imperial Era:
  • Increased government control over the economy and workforce.
  • Approval due to better working policies for labor workers.
• Primary Source Message:
  • Direct government control ensured resource mobilization for war.
  • Managed production and labor to prevent strikes.

Civil Liberties in Wartime

• Key Mobilization Strategies:
  • Implementation of military draft.
  • Espionage Act and Sedition Act to limit anti-war efforts.
  • Schenck v. United States case and "Clear and Present Danger" test.
• Comparison to Progressive/Imperial Era:
  • More direct and restrictive role in managing labor and resources.
  • Partial approval; concern over the suppression of free speech.
• Primary Source Message:
  • Government measures suppressed free speech using the Espionage and Sedition Acts.
  • Supreme Court's "Clear and Present Danger" justified limited speech threatening national security.