World War I
&
The Homefront
Key Terms
Section 1
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How did the outbreak and course of WWI
effect the population within the United
States?
1. The Great War (WWI)
• U.S. joined the war in 1917
• The war ended in 1918
• 2.8 million U.S. men were drafted.
• 53,513 U.S. soldiers died in battle.
• 63,195 U.S. Soldiers died from
disease and accidents.
Two young WWI soldiers
• Total U.S. soldiers lost: 116,708
2. Conscription
• Conscription is Involuntary
military service. (The Draft)
• Congress passed the
Selective Service Act of 1917.
• All men between 21 and 30
had to register for draft.
• A lottery randomly
determined the order people
were called.
• Local draft board determined
fitness.
Patriotic Sheet music cover,1917
3. Propaganda
• The Great War (WWI) was under
way in Europe
• Many Americans wanted to
remain isolated from world
troubles
• Britain worked hard to win
American support.
• Once committed to join the war,
the U.S. Government sought to
gain support for the war through
pamphlets and posters.
An appeal to patriotism.
4. Espionage
• A general fear of spies grips
the United States during
WWI.
• Espionage Act of 1917.
– Penalties and prison
terms for giving aid to the
enemy.
• The Sedition Act of 1918.
– Public opposition to the
war is illegal.
• 1,500 prosecutions and
1,000 convictions
WWI poster
5. The War Industries Board
• Agency created by Congress to
encourage cooperation between
big business and government
• Established July 1917 to
coordinate the production of
wartime materials
• The WIB told manufacturers
what to produce, how much to
produce, and issued deadlines
• Controlled ALL facets of
production from factory to
finished product