Hist 12 Lecture 11 World War I Part 2

Summary

This script discusses World War I's impact on warfare, involving civilians and industrial capacity. It highlights the Home Front's efforts, including the War Industries Board, women in factories, and food conservation measures. It also touches on recruitment, the Espionage and Sedition Act, anti-German sentiment, and President Wilson's vision for a just peace and the League of Nations, which ultimately failed to gain U.S. support.

Takeaways

• 💥 World War I marked the beginning of modern warfare with the use of brutal new weapons like machine guns and chemical gases.
• 🏭 The war effort required significant industrial capacity, leading to the creation of the War Industries Board and increased civilian involvement.
• 👩‍🏭 Women and African-Americans entered the workforce in larger numbers, taking up jobs in factories left vacant by men who went to war.
• 🥩 Herbert Hoover's Food Administration introduced meatless Mondays and wheatless Wednesdays to prevent food shortages.
• 🌱 Victory Gardens were encouraged to promote self-sufficiency in food production.
• 🕒 Daylight Saving Time was instituted to conserve fuel and extend working hours.
• 💵 The U.S. government sought to fund the war through Liberty Bond drives and the introduction of income tax, which was seen as a patriotic duty.
• 📣 President Woodrow Wilson used the Committee on Public Information to encourage recruitment and support for the war.
• 🗽 The Espionage and Sedition Act of 1917 was passed to suppress dissent and criticism of the war.
• 🇩🇪 Anti-German sentiment was prevalent, leading to cultural changes such as renaming foods to remove German associations.
• 🕉️ President Wilson advocated for a just peace through his 14 points and the creation of the League of Nations, but the U.S. Senate rejected the idea.

Q & A

What is considered the first modern warfare?

World War I is considered the first modern warfare due to the use of new weapons and tactics such as gases and machine guns, which made it more brutal than previous conflicts.

How was the civilian side more involved in World War I compared to traditional wars?

In World War I, civilians were more involved due to the need for industrial capacity to produce new weapons, leading to the creation of the War Industries Board and women entering the job market to support the war effort.

What was the role of the War Industries Board in World War I?

The War Industries Board was created in 1917 to prioritize and allocate raw materials essential for the war effort, ensuring that the military had the necessary resources to fight.

How did women's roles change during World War I?

Women entered the job market and filled the spaces of men in factories, which was a significant change from traditional roles and contributed to the war effort.

What was Herbert Hoover's contribution to the war effort?

Herbert Hoover was involved in the Food Administration, where he initiated measures like meatless Mondays and wheatless Wednesdays to prevent food shortages and encouraged the creation of Victory Gardens for self-sufficiency.

Why was daylight saving time instituted during World War I?

Daylight saving time was instituted on March 19th, 1918, to conserve fuel by extending working days, thereby increasing productivity and supporting the war effort.

What financial measures were taken by the U.S. government to fund World War I?

The U.S. government introduced Liberty Bond drives to raise funds and levied income taxes, which were seen as patriotic acts, to pay for the war.

How did Woodrow Wilson focus on recruitment for World War I?

Woodrow Wilson used the Committee for Public Information and figures like George Creel to encourage enlistment through speeches and propaganda, creating a sense of patriotism and urgency to join the war.

What was the Espionage and Sedition Act of 1917, and why was it passed?

The Espionage and Sedition Act of 1917 was passed to suppress dissent and criticism of the war, making it illegal to create a clear and present danger through words or actions that could undermine the war effort.

How did anti-German sentiment manifest during World War I?

Anti-German sentiment led to changes in language and culture, such as renaming 'wiener' to 'hot dog' and 'sauerkraut' to 'Freedom cabbage,' reflecting a broader effort to distance from German influence.

What were Woodrow Wilson's 14 points, and how did they influence the Treaty of Versailles?

Woodrow Wilson's 14 points were a set of principles for a just peace after World War I, advocating for self-determination, free trade, and a reduction in armaments. They influenced the Treaty of Versailles by pushing for a less punitive approach towards Germany, although the final treaty was more severe than Wilson had hoped.

Why did the United States Senate reject the League of Nations, and what were the consequences?

The U.S. Senate rejected the League of Nations because they believed the agreement could not be made without the support of Congress. The rejection, along with the U.S. not joining as a founding member, weakened the League and contributed to its eventual failure.