World War I
President Woodrow Wilson's campaign slogan for the presidential election of 1916 was "He Kept us out of war". Wilson maintained his neutrality policy backed by the progressives who saw war as a violation of the very spirit of reform. Behind the scenes though, Wilson supported a policy of preparedness in the event the United States did go to war. His position was attacked from both sides: preparedness was seen as advocating charged cowardice, while pacifists denounced any attempt at military readiness. Before Wilson's announcement of war, the United States had taken several social, military, and economic steps to ensure the United States was prepared to fight the "war to end all wars."A week after war was declared; Wilson created the Committee on Public Information (CPI). The CPI was headed by George Creel and was used to distribute posters and pamphlets discussing the reasons America had gone to war. Creel “ took quite seriously the traditional regard of American democracy for the individual consenting will as the cornerstone of political legitimacy and social action. (Kennedy 60)”Another aspect of the CPI was the Four-Minute Men who gave brief speeches at public gatherings on the issue of the US at war. The CPI also exploit
The United States saw its most drastic steps of preparation and organization in the economic realm. Quick effective action was needed to win the war. To meet the need, Wilson and Congress set up an array of new federal agencies, numbering about five thousand in all. The most crucial of all though, was the War Industries Board. The Board oversaw production of all American factories and was headed by millionaire Bernard M. Baruch. It determined priorities, allocated raw materials, and fixed prices. Because of his power and authority over manufacturers, Baruch was sometimes viewed as the dictator of the American economy. The servicemen needed clothing, food, and weapons. They also needed proper medical attention in camp and overseas. The War Industries Board met all these needs. Under its auspices, the Food Administration urged greater production of food. The administration also taught the civilian population to go without sugar, wheat flour, meats, and fats because these items were needed by the troops. Herbert Hoover headed the new Food Administration and appealed to the "spirit of self sacrifice" by convincing people to save food by observing "meatless" and "wheatless" days. The Fuel Administration even stimulated coal production and restricted its use. Another item in demand was ships. Ships were needed to send men, ammunition, and food overseas. The United States Shipping Board ordered the production of vessels in great numbers. The world's greatest shipyard was built near Philadelphia. With the new federal agencies, the government intervened in American life as never before. For example when stri
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Approximate Word count = 1084
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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