The American Homefront:

 

Presidential Power Increased:

            Wilson was a strong war leader

            received emergency powers to direct the economy and the war effort

 

Mobilizing the Economy:

            War Industries Board: allocated raw materials and expanded production

            War Labor Board: mediated labor disputes to avoid stoppages

            Railroad Administration: took control of railroads

            Shipping Board: built a “bridge of ships” to carry men and supplies to front

            Fuel Administration: increased the production of fuel and rationed some items

            Food Administration: increased farm output and encouraged wheatless and

                        meatless days

 

Committee on Public Information:

            through lectures pamphlets, press releases, posters which propagandized the

                        war effort

            some zealots called for eliminating the subject of German from schools!

 

Espionage Act 1917:

            made severe penalties for spying, sabotage, obstructing the war: including

                        protests

           

Sedition Act 1918:

            made speaking or writing anti-war or anti-American government information

                        illegal

            showed that dissent would not be tolerated during wartime

 

Financing the War Effort:

            income taxes and excise taxes were raised

            selling Victory or Liberty Bonds to the American people

 

Selective Service Acts:

            allowed for drafting young men into the armed services