U.S. during WWI
Mobilizing the Nation for War
- 75,000 people, know as "four-minute men"
- distributed pamphlets, poster, and leaflets
- their goal was to show the 'dangerous' Central Powers
The Food Administration
- increase the nation's food supply
- voluntary compliance
- 'meatless Tuesdays' and 'wheatless Wednesdays'
- victory gardens to get more Americans to be self sufficient
Effects of The Food Administration
- food increased by 25%
- influenced 'heatless Mondays' and 'gasless Sundays'
National War Labor Board
- chaired by William Howard Taft
- to minimize potential labor disputes
- settled disputes between management and workers
- established higher wages and eight hour workdays
- recognizes the right to unionize
Committee on Public Information
- included music, literature, and food
Laws
- anyone convicted of aiding the enemy, obstructing military recruiting, or inciting rebellion in the military was subject to fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 20 years
- Eugene V. Debs and William D. Haywood was convicted under this act
- Sedition Act of 1918
- made it illegal to speak against the purchase of war bonds or to "utter, print, write or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous or abusive language" against the U.S.
Schenck v. United States
He was ultimately convicted just like Debs and Haywood.
Supreme Court had stated that during a rime of war the nation had the right to protect its interest even if that meant suppressing certain freedoms.