22 Comments
Arjana Begzati
3/4/2014 09:39:51 am
Once America decided that the war in Europe had a too big effect on America to stay out of it, the decision to join the First World War had an immense influence on the status, economy and society of the United States. With the end of the war, the government removed the restriction in the economy, which it had set during the war. Businesses rapidly raised the prices of their products, after those price restrictions were removed. This then caused inflation, which in turn greatly increased the cost of living for Americans. In order to survive, workers (now well organized in unions) demanded higher wages, while businesses wanted the opposite. For that reason, strikes, like the Seattle General Strike, the Boston Police Strike and the Steel Strike, were extremely frequent and common. The now unemployed soldiers were competing for jobs, especially with African Americans (of which many had moved north), which produced dissatisfaction and frustration mixed together with racism. This led the country in a lot of violence based on race intolerance. An other big change came with the Red Scare, or the fear that Communist ideas might spread and seize power. More strikes and nationwide conspiracy were the result, increasing the dislike of communism and suspicion towards immigrants among the people.
Reply
Rachel Frantz
3/9/2014 09:46:16 am
Great answer Arjana. Very precise and well written. I especially like how you mentioned that this did in some ways shape the future of America. I totally agree with that.
Reply
Luke Stewart
3/17/2014 08:24:06 am
Great answer! I like how you summed it up!
Reply
Emily Muller
3/5/2014 01:52:01 am
Involvement in the war changed American society because some people began to protest against the war, saying that they found it morally wrong. Those people suffered greatly, because they didn't want to fight in the war. A law was created stating that it was wrong to criticize the government during a time of war. Widrow Wilson was viewed as a hypocrite by some people for campaigning that he was a peaceful president, and saying he was not going to go into war. When they went into war, some people lost their respect for Woodrow. Others thought it was necassary to go to war, and were more then willing to support the troops. It effected American because we became divided in our views, yet I think we all secretly wanted to be at peace. Not very many changes were permenant, but some of them did hurt the people. The women suffered, because while they were fighting for their rights everyone wanted to steal their rights and tell them to be quiet. Woodrow eventually gave women their rights, but it was after things with the war quieted down a bit.
Reply
Maddy Vogel
3/5/2014 08:31:16 am
Emily, nice job incorporating women into your post! Also, I think it is great that you focused on the social changes, sometimes those take a backseat to economics. Although, they are equally important in my mind. Good job!
Reply
Arjana Begzati
3/5/2014 10:07:37 am
You mentioned some very good points. I think it was good that you mentioned the hypocrisy in Wilson that some people saw. Also, nice connection that Wilson did not consider women's rights in the times of a lot of problems.
Reply
Becca Elaine
3/6/2014 04:40:13 am
i like and agree with your perspective of this Emily.
Reply
Timmi Keisel
3/9/2014 07:44:46 am
Good job Emily! I think you answered very well, and I like how you included women in your answer!
Reply
Kirsten Comstock
3/9/2014 12:23:31 pm
Nice job Emily. This is a great answer and you did well answering it. You made many great points.
Reply
Sabrina Lousberg
3/10/2014 02:08:24 am
Good job answering this question, Emily! I really enjoyed reading your answer. You brought up some great points and I would have to agree with Timmi; I love that you included women in your answer.
Reply
Maddy Vogel
3/5/2014 07:53:22 am
Entering a war can result in many changes for a society. America’s involvement in World War I was no different. Like is oftentimes the case, citizens became divided. Dissent arose is society between both sides of the decision. Some people greatly opposed American involvement in the war, and others agreed with Wilson’s choice to join the fight. The government turned to propaganda to unify citizens. Over 75 million printed materials were distributed throughout the United States. Newspapers and films also focused on exaggerated portrayals of German brutality. Riotous dissent was subdued through the passing of the Espionage and Sedition Acts. These laws prevented unhappy citizens from speaking out against the government. American Society also took on a new prejudice against German-Americans. Suddenly, they were considered enemies. German music was banned. The “German” in German Toast and German Fries was changed to “French”. German workers were also fired without reason. Economically there were several changes as well. “Liberty Bonds” were sold to help the government fund the war, buy equipment, etc. New taxes were put in place, and excess profits from corporations were levied as well.
Reply
Elayna Muller
3/6/2014 02:36:12 am
I agree with your answer on how permanent the changes were for American society. I would have to add that Germany is viewed lowly by many, maybe not the majority, but a lot of Americans. I don't think that we're as prejudice as we used to be, so I second your opinion. I think that it was and is ridiculous for Americans to ban music and change the name of fries. Changing the name doesn't change where it came from, and if I listened to German music, would I be considered "bad" or a "proGerman"? I know proGerman isn't a word, but it would have caused controversy for anyone to like Germans at that point in time. I hate prejudices.
Reply
Becca Elaine
3/6/2014 04:39:01 am
I believe that World War One has changed American society in the involvement directly towards the women side of society, in both America and Europe. As most men if not all that didnt stay behind; behind women had come in and taken over as help in the business, on the farm and other jobs. Women worked in mans traditonal daily job. This caused a women empowerment. After the war in the post war years women started bigger agendas most of the goverments branches; women were under the sudys in legal status's under the League of Nations. World War1 was also a propaganda for Wilson. He didn't want to go to war at first, until later. I wil aways question why? Wilsons office prepared a compaign to some what "distract" we can say, to the public support of war. Europe changed from this war as well. It altered there side of the map an gain the socialist outlook. I believe the permant stands of this waris women finally gain a bigger respect and freedom. They didnt have the equal rights nd freedom they didnt have and the European broke there "want to be empire" in to so many smaller countries.
Reply
Timmi Keisel
3/9/2014 07:43:13 am
Although Woodrow Wilson originally wanted to remain neutral in World War I, many Americans weren’t sharing the same impartial view; however, the Americans were split on their opinions on who to side with. Some saw Britain’s point of view, and others sided with Germany. Once the war began, the Committee on Public Information was overseeing the distribution of the written media, but magazines, newspapers, and films were still dramatically displaying the war to Americans, so they couldn’t have an exact, clear idea what was happening overseas. The Espionage and Sedition Acts also greatly affected Americans at the time. These new changes made any public display of disagreement with the war, government, or president illegal. It took the much of the Democracy out of America that Woodrow Wilson wanted to keep. After the war, America faced recession and inflation. Ten thousand businesses closed and almost 5 million Americans lost their jobs. However, most of these happenings were not long term. The economy was able to rise again, and the Espionage and Sedition Acts were eventually lifted.
Reply
Rachel Frantz
3/9/2014 09:42:11 am
Involvement in WWI changed America’s society in a variety of ways. The Espionage and Sedation Acts caused unrest amongst American’s. American society became particularly harsh on anyone of German heritage. This even went to the extent of German Americans losing their jobs. At the conclusion of the war, America was hit with inflation and a recession. Many people lost their jobs and numerous businesses closed. Today much of the prejudice against Germans has dissipated, and our economy has bounced back from that recession. I believe one change to society during the war that is still found today was the introduction of propaganda. During this war, propaganda played a huge role. Today we still see this idea of propaganda. For example posters with Uncle Sam can still be found in a wide variety of places. Over all WWI caused primarily temporary change to American society. However, I believe that some of the change that did occur helped lay the foundation for the future America.
Reply
Zane Boerner
3/9/2014 10:18:43 am
Great Answer! I would agree with you that the changes were mainly temporary.
Reply
Zane Boerner
3/9/2014 10:16:44 am
Entering this war had a pretty big effect on American society. Like most wars, World War I divided America into two groups. Those who agreed with America entering the war and those who thought that America should stay out of it. Having a divided nation can be dangerous which had been proven before in the past. Wilson recognized this and created the Committee on Public Information to promote the war domestically using propaganda. The Espionage and Sedition Acts were passed in 1917 and 1918. These acts were passed in order to help try to unite the country by stopping the media from spreading disagreement with the government by making it illegal. There was also a lot of German prejudice. German fries and toast became French fries and French toast. Many people of German decent were even losing their jobs. After the war the Espionage and Sedition Acts were lifted and the United States hit a small recession that saw improvement within the next year. The changes to the United States during World War I only lasted as long as the war.
Reply
Kirsten Comstock
3/9/2014 12:21:14 pm
Going into the war had a big effect on society in America. During the war Americans either were in Britains side or Germany's side. People were being very harsh on German Americans and they started to have unfair conditions and lost their jobs. The Espionage and Sedation Acts were passed during World War I and were passed to try to help unite America. They tried to stop media and made it illegal for any media about disagreement about the war be shown to the American people. Towards the end of the war America was in a recession and many people lost their jobs because of it. The changes during WWI only lasted during the war and a little bit after and I don't think that it really affected the future America. I'm sure we learned from it, but nothing too drastic occurred after the war.
Reply
Sabrina Lousberg
3/10/2014 02:23:21 am
Good answer! What lessons do you think Americans learned from these changes?
Reply
Megan Chintala
3/10/2014 03:31:18 am
Great answer! Keep supporting your details! :) helps with your answer
Reply
Sabrina Lousberg
3/10/2014 02:06:39 am
America’s involvement in WWI changed our society. American society became harsh on anyone of German heritage living in the United States. German-Americans were even losing their jobs. The Espionage and Sedation Acts also caused unrest amongst American’s during this time period. After the war was over, America was hit with major inflation and a recession. Now other Americans began to lose their jobs. Many businesses closed as a resolute. Today most of the prejudice against Germans has gone away. Our economy has also bounced back since that recession. The introduction of propaganda has stuck around. Propaganda played a huge role during WWI. We still see propaganda today. Some of the changes made to American society during WWI helped shape the foundation for the future of America.
Reply
Megan Chintala
3/10/2014 03:30:22 am
Being in this war may have cause a little distruption in American society. Many were beginning to side with Germany or Great Britain. The Government was seeing this seperation and they were not liking the looks of the outcome. The CPI tried to help with war postings to hopefully bring all the Americans back on the American side of things, instead of going against us in this war. The Espionage and Sedition Acts also helped the government to spy on Germany. This helped American society to really realize what they were getting themselves into with this war. The German-Americans were getting abused over this war. Lost their jobs and German education courses were dropped out of schools. The American was affected by this becuse their people were not being treated equal. Those Getman-Americans were human to but still got treated poorly.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2014
Categories |