Cram 21: Total War on the Homefront
Employment
LT3: All available citizens were put to work; Unemployment in Europe nearly ended. LT4: Neutral countries like the USA were able to profit by trading with countries at war
Contracts
LT5: American industry in WWI boomed; in just four year, US exports to Europe rose from $1.479 billion to $4.062 billion dollars. LT6: Contracts from the Army and Navy, for things like food, clothing, guns, and ammunition, increased rapidly.
American economy
LT7: As a direct result, federal spending in the US also saw a swift increase, from $477 million in 1916 to its peak in 1918 of $8.450 billion. LT8: World War I permanently transformed the American economy. Before the war the US was known for being a debtor country. After the war, America became a net creditor, making $6.4 billion dollars.
Conscription
LT8: In order to supply to front lines with enough soldiers, governments used conscription, a military draft that required men to fight. LT9: At first men volunteered for the war, but by 1916, people began to realize how "bad" the war was & volunteers decreased
Lack of soldiers
LT10: Governments had to draft soldiers because there were not enough troops LT11: Men 18.50 had to register and there was a lottery for soldiers that would have to report for duty
One-sided information
LT12: During World War I, nations used one-sided information called propaganda to maintain civilian support for the war.
Propaganda
LT13: Propaganda played an important role in maintaining the support of the public for the war effort & helped recruit soldiers LT14: Propaganda posters & slogans asked that civilians "do their part" by participating in conscription, rationing, & war bonds sales. LT15: In addition, most governments censored the media to control war information
Public opinion
LT16: To achieve their goals, propagandists employed a variety of techniques—some obvious, some subtle—to shape public opinion. Among the more common tactics were:
Media Tactics
LT17: Demonizing the enemy. Instilling guilt. Playing on emotions. LT18: Whipping up fear and hysteria. Appealing to patriotic obligation. Promising personal rewards or improvement
Wartime production
LT1: During World War I, both the Allies & Central Powers committed to total war. LT2: To produce necessary war equipment, governments took greater control of the economy, converted factories to wartime production, & set production quotas.
Rationing programs
LT20: Throughout the war, resources became scarce so governments began using rationing. LT21: Rationing programs allowed people to use only small amounts of essential resources, like food & fuel.
Governments
LT22: Governments directed supplies & resources to the soldiers on the front and controlled prices of goods at home. LT23: Civilians needed tickets to be able to buy goods; Many people grew victory gardens to support rationing programs.
Women
LT24: Women's roles changed during World War I. LT25: During the war, women replaced men in heavy industry & munitions factories.
Temporary solution
LT26: This type of work was not seen as "proper" for women, but was a temporary solution to ensure that enough weapons were made. LT27: In addition, women served as nurses, drivers, clerks for the military & were encouraged to support their husbands if they were drafted or volunteered.
Government agencies
LT27: Fighting in WWI required governments to raise billions of dollars. LT28: New government agencies were created to manage the war, soldiers were drafted, military contracts were made with factories.
War expenses
LT29: These programs were expensive & required creative ways to pay for war expenses. LT30: Governments sold war bonds that offered citizens investments that would be paid back at a later time.
