The American Home Front During World War 1

The First World War impacted significantly on the homefronts of the participating nations in many different social, political and economic areas. There was a widespread restructuring of primary industry with a large orientation towards militarism. There was massive political change where new systems of power were introduced that gave governments a range of new powers including the control over industry. The civilian population had severe restrictions placed upon their rights and liberties due to the necessities that total war required.

Americans became afraid of and disdainful towards anything German. Affairs associated with Germans or Germany ceased such as German bands, German courses in schools, and renaming German associated words such as German measles to liberty measles. Many German-Americans felt loyal to America but still had ties to Germany. With intolerance towards all things German, German-Americans became cautious and discreet in their speech and actions. Ambassador James W. Gerard warned, “but now that we are in the war there are only two sides, and the time has come when every citizen must declare himself American – or traitor!”

During World War II propaganda was ubiquitous. It consisted of a wide range of carriers including leaflets, radio, television, and most importantly posters. Posters were used based on their appeal: they were colorful, creative, concise, and mentally stimulating. Posters often portrayed the artist's views on the war. They demonstrated the artist concern for the war, their hopes for the war, and reflected the way enemies were envisioned. Posters also show a nations political status: they reflect a nations allies and enemies, how the nation saw itself, and its greatest hopes and fears of the war.

World War I significantly influenced the modern world in which all humanity subsists. The United States of America was altered internally and externally by the Great War. Shadowing World War I America was distinguished as a supreme nation holding great power; subsequently the nation would be redefined politically, economically, and socially.

Ideology was another piece that fit into the now solved puzzle of why America entered the war. Wilson wanted to make the world safe for democracy. Ideology was seen partly for idealistic justification. The inhabitation of Belgium and the sinking of the Lusitania changed many people’s minds in the United Stated of Germany.

Imagery uses color as well that is eye catching to anybody. For instance, in a poster with a large British solider, this shows that they are powerful and should be looked up to. Below the solider are hardworking citizens which do work and this helps aid to the solider to grow. Additionally, there is another poster that states "Woman of Britain" and has a picture of a factory worker standing right under war planes. It is stating that they have the power to aid with the war by working. Overall, imagery is a necessary part of posters and propaganda to persuade an audience.

During World War II, propaganda was used for a number of reasons, it not only showed how anyond could be of use to the war efforts, but it also showed that every person could contribute as well. These posters empowered everyone to stand behind their nation's Army, and to continue contributing to the war efforts. The posters showed that everyone is needed, that anyone could make a difference, and some even emphasized certain values to those who are already helping with the war effort.

World War 1 was a war that lasted from 1914 to 1918 and was a war that involved and was molded around alliances. This war in Europe would eventually turn into a global war that would involve 32 countries. United States involvement was crucial to the outcome of World War 1 and made a serious impact in our country. Both positive and negative effects were felt by Americans during and even long after the war. Mixed feelings were felt from many Americans for entering the war that would affect society.

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

The American home front during World War II is recalled warmly in popular memory and cultural myth as a time of unprecedented national unity, years in which Americans stuck together in common cause. World War II brought many new ideas and changes to American life. Even though World War II brought no physical destruction to the United States mainland, it did affect American society. Every aspect of American life was altered by U.S. involvement in the war including demographics, the labor force, economics and cultural trends.

When war erupted in Europe in 1914, the US adopted a policy of neutrality and seclusion. This policy was favored by a vast majority of Americans, especially those of German and Irish descent. The people of the United States were drawn from many nations, primarily from the nations at war. The deficiency of public unity was the primary concern when America entered the war on April 6, 1917. The Wilson Administration felt they needed to sway public opinion, because American

Also, if the United States was to enter the war, national production would switch from civilian products to war materials (Economic). In the years leading up to the war, America was already in a state of recession and they did not want to spend millions of dollars on this conflict. The following quote states how much the war affected the economy of the United States. "The total cost of World War I to the United States (was) approximately $32 billion, or 52 percent of gross national product at the time" (Economic). If you were the president of the United States, would you want to put out $32 billion dollars when your country is in recession as it is? Second, another reason the United States stayed out of the war for so long was because of their policy of neutrality. On August 19, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson addressed the congress and informed them of the U.S. policy of neutrality (First). In doing this, President Wilson was saying that the United States would stay neutral during the war and not intervene. During the president’s address to congress, he states, “Every man who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality” (First). By saying this, the president is saying that the policy of neutrality is the absolute best choice for the United States in this situation, and any citizens that did not believe in this did not truly care for the country or its people.

Americans became afraid of and disdainful towards anything German. Affairs associated with Germans or Germany ceased such as German bands, German courses in schools, and renaming German associated words such as German Measles to Liberty Measles. Many German-Americans felt loyal to America but still had ties to Germany. Ambassador James W. Gerard warned, “but now that we are in the war there are only two sides, and the time has come when every citizen must declare himself American – or traitor!” Intolerance towards all things German made German-Americans cautious and discreet in their speech and actions.

World War I had brought about much change whether the changes brought about were for better or for worse is debatable but

World war 1 changed America economically, politically, and socially, but the widespread of disease hit the United States terribly. In 1918-1919, the World suffered a flu epidemic with no cure to prevent it from spread as well as taking the lives of many. When soldier came home from fighting in World war 1, they brought along with them the flu into the United States. Unfortunately the flu epidemic usually claimed the lives of healthy young adults stead of usually claiming the lives of young and the old.( Doc 6) The death toll around the globe was from 20-50 million dead including 550,000 American as well. Despite these negative impacts on the U.S, World war 1 caused the growth in employment in the U.S giving jobs to immigrants as well as Americans. The United States during the World war traded with other foreign countries around the world in order to gain supply cheaply and manufacture weapons and supplies to the American army, but even though this benefited the U.S, Labors went on strike. Labors went on strike due to the fact that Federal regulator had kept the workers wages low during the war to maximize their businesses so that they may thrive during the war.(Doc 8) Labors were very upset due to the fact that they expected that during wartime their wages would increase, this was their motive for going on strike. Another way WW1 impacted America was through migration.