Commobilization During WWII

The increased economic situation was due to the increase demand for wartime production, and although there was more money to go around, there were

Germans believed the false information from the propaganda, which lead to many people being put into

The American people were easily manipulated into anti-German and pro-war beliefs. More "American-like" names were given to certain things. Hamburgers became Salisbury steaks because Hamburg was located in Germany. Sauerkraut became liberty cabbage, because sauerkraut was a German name. Beethoven 's music was banned, and burning of German books was common. "These techniques were highly successful. The government found that overt and subtle forms of propaganda fanned the requisite passions of pride and prejudice to fight a total war in Europe. Indeed, aggressive propaganda helped to skirt constitutional and statutory limitations on war policies — policies that would never pass rational scrutiny in peacetime. Empirically, it proved that government propaganda aimed at arousing strong feelings of American nationalism could facilitate the exercise of extralegal and

If this is hard to believe, the case of Eugene Debs demonstrates how it was done. Debs lectured fellow socialists on the detriments of the draft. In his speech he stated, “The poor, ignorant serfs had been taught to revere their masters; to believe that when their masters declared war upon another, it was their patriotic duty to fall upon one another… The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles… I would rather a thousand times be a free soul in jail than to be a sycophant and coward in the streets”. Debs did just that, this speech cost him ten years in prison. Many would say that he was only speaking his mind, and he should be able to do that, but the government had most power, and they got the final say. Charles Schenck had a similar case. While passing out pamphlets giving men reasons to not join the army, he was arrested and charged with violating the Espionage Act. Again, he was only trying to inform people of the disturbing side of the war.

The American decision to declare war on Germany was influenced by several factors of varying degrees. To a great extent, the aggressive German naval policy contributed to the involvement of the United States in World War I. A secondary influence on this decision derived from U.S. economic interests abroad and on the homefront. Another influence leading to America’s entrance into war was the use of Allied propaganda. Therefore, the combination of German naval policy, American economic interests, and allied propaganda influenced to the American decision

Do you know that notifying your fellow Americans of their constitutional rights was a Federal crime? Well it was during World War One (WWI). In the case Schenck v. the United States, schenck tried to remind his fellow Americans of their constitutional rights and also let them know that the draft was being used as a form of militarized slavery. This case contained men who his right was taken away after he tried to get the military draftees to fight against the draft. However Congress took his right of speech away when it was arrested and convicted of violating the Espionage Act of 1917. This was the time the WWI one had broken out, the government need men to fight. They were short staffed for that to work and they need man to fight this

Since people did not agree with the war. There were Acts put in place. One was the Espionage Act and the other was the Sedition Act. The Acts made it illegal for people to criticize the war and not be able to put up information about not supporting the war. People that did not agree with the war and stated it could be criminalized because the people were looked at like they were enemies.

In addition, Americans were forced to show their patriotism. As stated by Foner: “Persons suspected of disloyalty were forced to kiss the flag in public; those who made statements critical of the flag could be imprisoned” (GML, 743). Unions such as the Industrial Workers of the World who strongly opposed American participation in the war were suppressed by the federal agents. Without a doubt, the war limited Americans from expressing their opinions as the government enforced many laws that took away their

The Sedition Act of 1918, enacted during World War I, made it illegal to “willfully utter, print, write or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language about the form of government of the United States.” While the Sedition Act was passed as a cautionary measure to keep peace within the country in the midst of a red scare, the government overstepped a boundary by censoring the conversation on war. During wartime, vulnerable Americans deserve their first amendment rights more than ever in order to protect themselves. By restricting the media, the government suppressed the spread of ideas, hampered the voice of the citizens, and enforced paranoia of foreigners both during and immediately after World War I.

Propaganda wasn't the only issue with the government during the war they also created the espionage act and threw lots of Americans with German heritage in jail. In the act it also prevented people from talking bad about the war. It was seen as dangerous to be against the war and it was “un american”. This line from the espionage act states “Whoever shall byword or act oppose the cause of the United States therein shall be punished.” This line restricts our first amendment right of freedom of

Propaganda and media have always been very important in convincing the public to agree with their government. Leaders have usually used propaganda and media in common everyday matters, not just politics. In today's age it is easier to find out if information is true or not because of all the technology (which also leaves more room for more false reports.) Today we have Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat; the media list available to the public is almost infinite. It has not always been like that though; people have not always had smart phones and the internet to get information about what is happening in their country. Back in the 1940's while World War 2 was raging, people had newspapers, radios, and faith. Naturally

After its creation by the Wilson administration in April of 1917, the Committee on Public Information had two main goals. First, they were tasked to explain to both American citizens and the world why America had chosen to take part in World War I. As director George Creel stated, the CPI clarified “the cause that compelled America to take arms in defense of its liberties and free institutions” (Foner 727). Second, the Committee on Public Information aimed to reshape the public’s opinions on the government’s involvement in the war. In doing so, the CPI could also change the public’s habits and create their beliefs. In order to meet their goals, the Committee on Public Information used propaganda such as pamphlets, posters, newspaper advertisements,

It seemed like everyone was doing something to help with the war. However, those who didn't were made out to be nonaligned with American beliefs in aiding the enemy. Moreover, it seemed like the American government was getting more power and influence on its citizens. In 1917 the Espionage Act became a law in the United States which “ prohibited spying, interfering with [military] draft and false statements” against the government (Espionage Act of 1917). This was the beginning of restriction of freedom on individuals. Nonetheless, to strengthen the Espionage Act the “Sedition Act was amended” a year later (Sedition Act of 1918). The Sedition Act stated that nobody can criticize the “form of government” directly or indirectly (qtd. In Foner pg.590 ). This was clearly a restriction on the freedom of the press and speech. It seemed like the government was acting like a “King [that] can do no wrong” ( Williams 319). A variety of people were “prosecuted under the original and amended Espionage Act” (Sedition Act of

government declared war against Germany. President Woodrow Wilson wanted to stop the disloyalty of the immigrants, German natives, and people who opposed the government. Therefore, after a couple of months, the congress passed the Espionage Act. This act forced the people to support the government. After this act was ratified, speaking against the U.S. government during WWI became illegal. The U.S. government declared the Espionage Act to increase people’s nationalism and to make them fully committed to the war.

In this case they advertized for war bonds. One very popular type of propaganda were posters. (pause) Here is one of the posters used. It shows a soldier holding out a can for money. The makers of these posters often use children, mothers, and soldiers of the war in their posters. They hope it will make someone feel sympathetic and will buy more bonds. (pause) Another poster is talking about a “victory liberty loan”. A German (especially in the military) was known as a Hun. This poster talks about basically showing them who’s boss and that we should win this war. It is also saying that they could win this war with the help of liberty loans from the citizens. (pause) Did the war bonds help us whole lot in the long run however?