10.1 The US in WWI: Mobilizing for War
Directions: Use the readings to identify key aspects of HOW the United States mobilized for WWI. Then, use the T33M method to break down the message of the primary source for each of the readings assigned. Record your analysis in the space provided and be prepared to share.
Financing the War
Significant info about HOW the US mobilized:
* The US mobilized by allowing congress to create federal income tax. This act increased the personal and corporate income tax rate and established new excise. Although these tax rates helped increase revenues from 930 million ( 1916) to 4.4 billion (1918). The US still needed more money, which led to the creation of Liberty Bonds, which helped raise over 20 million dollars.
To what is this a change from Progressive / Imperial Era? Would you approve if you were alive in 1917?
* This is a change from the Progressive/Imperial Era. The old policies from that era were soon changed. Due to war, the US is focusing on economic mobilization for the war. I would approve to an extent in regards to helping the country with donations, but I would be weary of the tax income.
Message of the primary source in connection (consider intended audience):
* The message of the source was to show the large economic changes, compared to the Progressive/Imperial Era. The government allowed for large changes like the increase in taxes. This push ways to motivate the people in believing that is the nation’s duty to help the war effort by paying for bonds and accepting large tax incomes.
Selling the War
Significant info about HOW the US mobilized:
* The four-minute men
* Films and New divisions
* Creation of the Committee on Public Information
To what is this a change from Progressive / Imperial Era? Would you approve if you were alive in 1917?
* This was a big change from the Progressive/Imperial era because, during that time, the U.S focused on reforming society. The US government shifted its focus by using large scale propaganda efforts to expand its influence and support for the war. I would be suspicious of this because the government is openly manipulating public opinion to gain more support.
Message of the primary source in connection (consider its purpose):
* The message of this source is that the US was shifting from a neutral stance to active participation in the war. Since the US was now involved the US government ensured to shape public opinion to support war efforts.
Industry and Labor
Significant info about HOW the US mobilized:
* War Industry Board (used to mobilize the nations resources).
* National War Labor Board ( used to achieve a strong wartime labor workforce).
To what is this a change from Progressive / Imperial Era? Would you approve if you were alive in 1917?
* This was also a big change from the Progressive/Imperial Era. The government involved itself in controlling the economy and managing workers(to prevent labor unions/strikes). The National War Labor Board and War Industry Board were created to make sure factories produced the right materials and to keep workers from striking. I would approve because of the creation of better working policies for labor workers.
Message of the primary source in connection (consider its historical context) :
* The U.S government used direct control on the work industry and resources to ensure that it could fully mobilize for the war effort. This led to the creation of the War Industry Board and the National War labor board to manage production and maximum labor (without strikes).
Civil Liberties in Wartime
Significant info about HOW the US mobilized:
* Military Draft
* Espionage Act
* Sedition Act
* Charles Schneck and Schenck V. United States
* “Clear and Present Danger” test
* Impact on Free Speech/government Suppression of Anti War efforts
To what is this a change from Progressive / Imperial Era? Would you approve if you were alive in 1917?
* This a change from the Progressive/Imperial era because in the past, the government did have extreme involvement in industries and labor forces. Now that the US was involved in the war, the US government took a more direct and restrictive role on managing labor and resources. I would approve to an extent, the main issue for me is the suppression of freedom of speech through laws like the Sedition Act and Espionage Act . But I will understand the need for strong government action.
Message of the primary source in connection (consider its point of view):
* The main idea of this source is to show how the US government took significant measures to suppress freedom of speech through the Espionage act and Sedition acts. The Supreme court upheld these restrictions in Schenck v. us, establishing the “clear and present danger test”, which was used to justify limiting speech that threatened national security.