The Home Front Flashcards
Q: Who was the leader of the Committee on Public Information and what was his job?
George Creel was the leader, and his job was to sell the war to the American people.
How did Hollywood contribute to the war effort?
Hollywood made anti-German movies.
What were the “4 minute men”?
They were 75,000 men who made many speeches everywhere on why the US needed to be in the war.
What hit song did George Cohen write?
George Cohen wrote the hit song “Over There.”
How did the US rename German food items during the war?
Frankfurter was renamed to hotdog, Hamburger to liberty steak, and Sauerkraut to liberty cabbage. German-named beer was not bought.
How was German music perceived during the war?
German music was considered bad.
What did the Sedition Act and Espionage Act do?
The Sedition Act made it illegal to criticize the war effort, and the Espionage Act allowed for the arrest of anyone who might be a German spy.
What happened to Eugene Debs for speaking out against the war?
Eugene Debs was thrown in jail and ran for president from inside jail.
What happened to Big Bill Haywood during the war?
Big Bill Haywood, a labor union leader of the IWW (the Wobblies), was put in jail for causing a strike in the coal mines during the war.
Who was in charge of the War Industries Board and what was its purpose?
Bernard Baruch was in charge, and the board’s purpose was to switch factories to war production.
What was William Taft’s role during the war?
William Taft led the War Labor Board, which aimed to make peace between strikers and owners. The AFL (American Federation of Labor) increased its membership during this time.
What did the Selective Service Act entail?
The Selective Service Act made all men aged 18-29 eligible to be drafted, with some jobs like shipbuilders, factory workers, and farmers being exempt.
