What was the American homefront like during World War 1?

Answer 1

Government were unwilling to load money off other countries so they increased taxes to raise $9 billion.

The purchase of 'Liberty Bonds' by American citizens raised another $15 billion. Woodrow Wilson counted on Allies financial dependance as a weapon to use in achieving the goals of his postwar diplomacy. Lever Act- established food Administration. Persuaded America to save food for the shipment over seas. 'War Gardens' were created by women and children as a contribution to the war, they provided extra fruit and vegetables.

The Prohibition was set up to restrict the sale and use as scarce grain supplies were reserved for soldiers abroad. In December 1917 the 18th Amendment banned production, sale and consumption of alcholic beverages.

Bernard Baroch was in charge of taking care of the needless waste in production. He standardized products, established priorities for shipment of important goods, set prices to encourage factories to turn out goods quickly.

Altering bike designs saved the War Industries Bond 2,000 tons of steel for war goods.

Practical hysteria towards Germans and traces of German influence were repressed in American society. Sauerkraut was changed to 'Liberty cabbage' and Hamburgers were renamed 'Salisbury Steak'. The speaking of German language in public was banned in half the States by 1918. German literary works disappeared from libraries, streets were renamed and the careers of German musicians suffered. When some Germans refused to by war bonds they met violence.

There were more jobs for women and African Americans. 1 million women proceeded to enter the workforce and the Women's Bureau was set up. There was a great migration of African Americans from South to North. As Immigration had been cut off there were more job opportunities for all.

Answer 2

For one the United States military was very far behind the European powers in many very important areas. First we had very few men in all of the branches of the military. I believe before WW1 we had only a few hundred thousand men trained and ready for combat. Second the weaponry we had at the time was not the best quality. We also lagged way behind Europe in not having the latest technology available for all branches. Also we had to draft and train thousands of new soldiers and trained very quickly to have a chance to survive battlefield conditions during WW1. We needed to build very quickly new weapons and had to build enough weapons so that our soldiers were properly prepared to wage war.. These are some issues that were very evident just as we prepared to enter the war.

Answer 3

it caused everyone to ration everything. most people would plant victory gardens and then buy goods in the store to send to troops. everyone had stamp books which they could buy things in the store. there was a limit to everything.