How WWI Changed America: Citizenship and WWI

Summary

During World War I, opposition to U.S. involvement was widespread, fueled by various groups including pacifists, religious communities, feminists, and labor movements. Many viewed the war as a profit-driven endeavor benefiting industrialists at the expense of ordinary people. Ethnic communities, like German- and Irish-Americans, were particularly opposed. The government cracked down on dissent, leading to violence, imprisonment, and legal consequences for conscientious objectors. Despite the end of the war in 1918, social divisions persisted, culminating in the first Red Scare, where fear of socialism led to raids and deportations. The war's legacy of suspicion and political unrest lingered long after peace was declared.

Takeaways

• 😀 Many people opposed the US entry into WWI for various reasons, including religious beliefs, economic arguments, and feminism.
• 😀 The early 20th century was a peak time for the global peace movement, with pacifists opposing war on moral, religious, and economic grounds.
• 😀 Groups such as German-speaking Americans and Irish-Americans were especially opposed to entering WWI due to ethnic and historical tensions.
• 😀 The American labor movement also opposed the war, arguing that it primarily served the interests of industrialists and not ordinary workers.
• 😀 The US government suppressed anti-war sentiments during WWI, with dissenters facing violence, legal repercussions, and mob violence.
• 😀 The draft law during WWI allowed for conscientious objection, but those who claimed exemption faced persecution and social ostracism.
• 😀 65,000 men claimed conscientious objector status during the war, refusing to serve in the military or opting for noncombat roles.
• 😀 Conscientious objectors experienced physical violence, bullying, and legal prosecution, and were seen as a threat to national unity and patriotism.
• 😀 The connection between citizenship and military service became central during WWI, making anti-war individuals targets of intense scrutiny and legal action.
• 😀 After the war, those who opposed it continued to face social and legal consequences, with some even carrying prison records for their objections.
• 😀 The aftermath of WWI in the US saw the rise of political fear, including the Red Scare, fueled by the Russian Revolution and growing socialist ideas.

Q & A

What were some of the main reasons people opposed the US entry into World War I?

Opposition to US entry into World War I came from various groups. Some pacifists opposed the war for religious or secular reasons, others based their opposition on feminist beliefs, seeing war as a masculine endeavor that women could help prevent. Economic arguments were also made, suggesting that war was not in the interests of working people or nations in general. Additionally, certain ethnic groups like German-Americans and Irish-Americans opposed the war due to historical grievances.

How did the global peace movement influence opposition to the war?

The early 20th century saw the peak of the global peace movement, which influenced opposition to World War I. Many pacifists, motivated by religious and secular ideals, advocated for peace. The movement was particularly strong in the United States, where many believed that war was immoral and unnecessary.

Why were German-speaking Americans generally opposed to the war?

German-speaking Americans, particularly in the Midwest, were opposed to the US entry into World War I due to their cultural and familial ties to Germany. They were less interested in fighting a war that did not align with their heritage or interests.

What role did Irish-Americans play in opposing US involvement in World War I?

Irish-Americans, particularly in the far West, were strongly opposed to the war because of their historical hatred of the British, who had caused suffering in Ireland during the famine in the 19th century. This resentment made them less inclined to support a war that would involve Britain.

What was the American labor movement's stance on the war?

The American labor movement opposed the war, arguing that it primarily benefited industrialists in the Northeast who sought to profit from wartime production. They believed that the war did not serve the interests of ordinary working people.

How did the US government handle opposition to the war during World War I?

To maintain national unity and ensure industrial production for the war effort, the US government suppressed opposition, often through violent means. Those opposing the war, including members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), faced intimidation, mob violence, and even lynching. Strike-breakers and state authorities were used to quell any dissent.

What were conscientious objectors, and how were they treated during the war?

Conscientious objectors were individuals who refused military service on the grounds of religious or moral beliefs. During World War I, 65,000 men claimed conscientious objector status. They faced bullying, physical violence, and legal prosecution, and were often stigmatized as unpatriotic.

What legal and social consequences did conscientious objectors face?

Conscientious objectors were subjected to legal penalties, including imprisonment, and social stigma. Being labeled as unpatriotic had long-lasting effects, as many were branded as traitors to the war effort, even after they were released from prison.

What was the role of the American Protective League during World War I?

The American Protective League was an organization that investigated suspected cases of disloyalty during World War I. It sought to uncover individuals who criticized the war or the government's war effort, often leading to legal charges against those who opposed or questioned the war.

How did the post-war period contribute to the Red Scare in the United States?

After World War I, political divisions persisted. The Russian Revolution of 1917, which brought a socialist government to power, stoked fears of socialism spreading to the United States. This fear led to investigations, raids, and deportations of suspected socialists and radicals, culminating in the first Red Scare.