Thursday, November 3, 2011
WWI: Home Front
Do some research beyond the text book. What are some specific examples of US activities on the Home Front, specifically connected to the war? Consider sharing movie titles and plots, Red Cross efforts, the draft process, arrests for disloyalty, propaganda etc. In today's "War on Terror" have Americans had to change behaviors? Is there more ordinary Americans should be doing in the USA to help win the War on Terror?
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Through my research beyond the text book, I found the activity of citizens on the Home Front was mostly by Women and African Americans. When the United States decided to enter the war, many people volunteered and many also were drafted. This left the spouses of these men sent to war at home and with a lot of work. This caused them to enter the work force and fulfill the jobs left behind. Also, the loss of many men in the North gave openings for African Americans to move from the South and take these jobs. The women did not only do these jobs, but they joined organizations to care for wounded soldiers. Another organization women joined was one that helped stop the influenza pandemic. This organization was called the American Red Cross, which was vital during the war. Many women went overseas and many also stayed in the United States. There were many different roles that women played in the American Red Cross including rolling bandages, knitting socks, and just caring for the wounded soldiers.
ReplyDeleteThe United States used many forms of propaganda to make Americans support the war. The government controlled all forms of public writing about the war to ensure the readers are against Germany. Germany was portrayed as savages that kill innocent Belgians. Headlines of newspapers were designed to stir up emotions such as,"Belgium child's hands cut off by Germans," or "Germans crucify Canadian Soldier." Many Americans' minds were changed through these headlines. Many of these were not accurate but were designed to make Germany seem like the bad guy, which it was. Here is an example of an image portraying the Germans, http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/propaganda_and_world_war_one.htm. (First Picture)
Propaganda sure plays a powerful role.
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