Albert Han

Mr. Schorr – AP U.S. History Period 8

3/27/11

World War I: Free Response Essay

Immediately after Congress voted for a declaration of war against the Central Powers, the

United States jumped into the conflict with the hopes of altering the outcome of a war that had

been increasingly tilting in Germany and its allies’ favor. The mobilization process of rounding

and deploying troops and producing machinery for the war was extremely efficient and played a

crucial role in helping the Allies reaching an armistice in a less than a year. Yet, it was several

key points on gathering support on the home front that made such mobilization possible. There

were three major actions taken by Wilson’s administration which led ultimately to an Allied

victory: a strong control of the financial sector to raise money, strong political control and

limited restriction of constitutional rights, and encouraging the efforts of minority groups in

society such as women, African Americans and Mexicans to the cause.

First, the federal government was able to influence the American public and private

financial sectors to help the war effort. For the vast majority of Americans, the government sold

war bonds to citizens, appealing to heightened nationalistic feelings and the prospects of helping

the war effort. In addition, Wilson’s main appointee and war hero Herbert Hoover urged

Americans to eat less meat, bread and use fewer resources in order to conserve for the war effort.

In dealing with the financial sector, the federal government was able to persuade bankers such as

Baruch and Morgan to loan money. Hoover was able to convert thousands of factories that had

previously produced consumer goods into producing war supplies. Thus, Wilson’s administration
was able to successfully utilize the vast economic resources America had.

Second, the government was able to assert a strong political presence over dissidents. For

example, Congress passed the Espionage and Sedition Acts, which made it illegal for the

opposition to speak out against the war and carried a prison sentence. It also outlawed any

attempts of escaping the draft or military service. In the Supreme Court case Schenck vs. the

United States, the court ruled that the government had the right to limit freedom of speech in

times of crises. The federal government was also successful in distributing wartime propaganda

such as political cartoons that encouraged Americans. By limiting negative criticism and

encouraging nationalistic feelings, the government was able to gain support for its cause.

Third, the efforts of minority groups in society were paramount in helping the war effort.

Women who stayed home to take care of kids and run the household had come out to work in

factories while their husbands had gone out to fight in Europe. Women proved to be just as

efficient, if not more productive in terms of handling fine machinery in producing weapons and

supplies. Also, the drafts of young white males meant a demand for physical labor, which

resulted in an increase in the migration of African Americans and Mexicans who took on farming

and factory jobs in the North. The government was able to take advantage of a strong working

force in the country to increase production of supplies.

In conclusion, the ability of the federal government to influence the finances of the

country, the political assertiveness displayed and the efforts of minority groups in society all laid

the basis for successful mobilization and victory in the war. Wilson’s administration was able to

exploit the potential of a rapidly growing country and channel its spirits and resources in fighting

the war. Thus, the home front played a tremendous role in achieving success for its country.