EFFECTS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ON AMERICAN SOCIETY

The historical World War 1 began and ended during the reign of President Woodrow Wilson. He had maintained US neutrality, but the German aggression had escalated to affect the welfare of the American people.[1]  For instance, in 1915, the German military killed hundreds of Americans by sinking the British ocean liner RMS.[2] It is this reason that Woodrow to warn the United States against permitting unrestricted submarine warfare and other violation against international law. In 1917, Germans resumed back the submarine warfare.[3] Then Wilson administration intercepted a telegram that urged Mexico to ally with the Germans.[4] At that point, Wilson pledged strip territories of Texas, Arizona, and Mexico to join the war, united against the german and her allies. Woodrow knew the seriousness of the war and that he needed a large army to cause a significant impact. He went ahead to appeal to the citizens by the famous slogan, “I need You to Join the Army,” which enlisted one million men and twenty thousand women. Many opposed the declaration of America to enter the war, while others believed it was a civic duty to join the war. The war would then affect the united states across many areas such as division of opinions fueled by politics, the women suffrage that led to women’s right to vote, labor rights, civil rights movements and the sedition act, and the xenophobia and hatred of the foreigners, which took place after the war.

Division of Public Opinions and The Importance of the Progressive Movement

Domestic opposition with the war was pushed by ‘old stock’ Americans and the Irish Americans who opposed the United States from entering the war. Still, the appeal of Wilson gained back their support. The support for entry into the battle was not unanimously. Some home groups immediately opposed the war declaration against Europe, arguing from political and religious perspectives.

Notably, the most influential that argued religiously is the stock Americans, which consisted of protestants and whites. The protestants voiced their opinions in their denominations, such as the Baptist and the Methodist, among other old Presbyterian denominations.[5] They backed their argument from a moral perspective, claiming the joining the war was a source of evil.[6] The group cited other sources included saloons and alcoholism. They also denounced the need for war and claimed it a sin against God’s will for humanity. While it is only a religious belief, which one has a right to, it was significant at the era since Woodrow was a Christian. He would thus change the belief that “America was Christian nation” to “America Born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness which he derived from Christian scriptures.”[7] The religion was to apply the foreign policy and utilize the German militarism as a moral evil that raised public indifference. This made America throw some substantial weight on the war efforts.

Besides the protestants, Irish American Catholics were candidly against the American declaration of the war. Unlike the protestants, this group argued that the British had a long-standing refusal to grant independence to Ireland. In 1916, the Irish Republicans were executed by the firing squad. These events extended to the Irish Americans, who had populated the Democratic Party in America.[8] Also, the Irish Americans’ indifference with Wilson rose from his refusal to support them after he was reelected. They later realized that the president had carried their favor in losing votes of some important constituencies within his party. The indifference between the Irish Republicans and presidential administration persisted, especially in his high disregard. In 1918, his diary was seen indicated that the president did not intend to appoint another Irishman for anything.[9] He quoted them as uncertain and untrustworthy.

The progressive era that reigned from 1890 to 1920s in the United States brought social activism and reforms in political parties in responding to the vast modernization. Progressivism was fueled by morality, Self-determination, and liberal democracy and aimed at eliminating government corruption and increasing efficiency in social justice and education.[10] Europeans ruled by a concert of Europe, in which monarchs and empires govern powerful Nations.[11] This guided the American future through the shifting systems of alliances and treaties, some of which remained secrets until they were required. The climax of these alliances provoked blood experience during the start of the First World War. Great Nations were thrown into conflict with each other.

Initially, liberal progressive in the American continent opposed war due to their belief that warfare is immoral with some hidden political and economic agendas. Eventually, progressivism was proposed strongly by the Americans for its superior moral position.[12] The ethical rationale concerned freedom, democracy, and self-determination.[13] These ideals were achieved in the First World War. As one of the essential proponents of progressives, Wilson won the support from moralists who framed the First World War intending to win democracy.

Women Suffrage Movement That Led To 19th Amendments

Before the 19^th Amendment, the women’s suffrage movement had fought for women’s right to vote for close to ten years. Women did not have much power in economic and political positions for social reforms.

The women’s suffrage movement was a part of the former slavery abolition movements in the 19^th century. The success of the abolition movement had motivated women to fight for their rights to elections since the American moral atmosphere acclaimed women and men as equals. Therefore, many among the suffrage movement ring leaders were members of the ati slavery movement, such as William Garrison.[14]Also, Sarah and Angelica led the anti-slavery convention held in London in 1840. The movements advocated for women to speak, write, and undertake leadership roles.

Many activists of women’s rights parted ways over the quest on women’s suffrage after the World War. The right to vote was among many goals of women’s rights, such as access to education and employment, property, equal pay, among others.[15]

During the same women’s suffrage movements, a new wave of fashion rose to impact the American female populace. In 1851, Elizabeth Miller from Geneva debuted the radical new look. The article about Miller’s outfit and its illustration was published in the trailblazer newspaper for the women. Activists such as Susan B. Anthony realized that dress codes were garnering attention more than their words. This early for fashion is acclaimed as the earliest forms of women’s freedom since they decided on what to wear and further passed messaged through the fashion.

The progress of women suffrage in America and Britain had some significant differences. Those from Britain were suffragettes, and ballots were from America. The women’s political unions that consisted of thousands of suffragettes planted explosive devices heckled politicians, and chained themselves to the building. This was all established to pressure the Liberal government of Britain to give the women vote.[16] This inspired the American suffragists to adopt to the militant tactics against the American legislature. England scholar and American Quaker, Alice Paul, joined The British American for their suffrage. Alice was arrested three times as a result of suffrage agitation. In 1913, Alice formed a Congressional movement union for women suffrage, which later became a national women’s party. Th court would then overturn the women’s sentences with no ceremonies in 1918. In the same year, Wilson acclaimed the efforts of activist Susan which led to the 19^th Amendment.

The Effects On Labor Rights And Union

American Federation of labor aimed at improving their immediate conditions in their working environment. The federation attracted a large number of workers in the 1880s, and knights to exercised strikes and organized the modern lines. Each worker would confine to its professed labor reforms. The association never worked, and the workers decided to join the American federation of labor (AFL). The founder of the American Federation of labor translated it into pure and simple unionism.[17] The federation aimed at governing itself along with the occupational line and by job conscious labor rights. The workers were to be flourished with sufficient weapons for their industrial emancipation.

The technological change started to undermine some systems such as the Craft system of production. This resulted from discrimination of labor movements where some national labor unions shifted to industrial structure, especially in coal mining and garment trades. Trade unions were as well associated with racism and sexism coloration. In 1903, 3 percent of the trade union membership was segregated in the Jim Crow.[18] The American Federation of labor never asserted some of Foreigner’s Rights. The war aimed to affect the assertion of labor Rights, especially for both tenders in society.

The constitutional ground was a raid by Samuel Gompers on the trade autonomy. Also, the internal affairs of every national union were regulated internally, as the constitution allowed it. The labor movements expanded and stabilized at the end of World War 1.[19] There rumored new ideas on the collective bargaining power for the trade unions. Workers were to be paid on the productive skills of their labor delivery. The rural farmers also joined the industrial labor, and their Rights were embarked under the trade union.

Civic Rights Movements And Civic Liberties

African Americans were anxious and optimistic about their patriotic sacrifices that they would have positive impacts on their race relations and civil rights. In 1919, the Pan African Congress challenged European colonialism and insisted on the need to equal rights for both whites and people of color.[20] Besides the quest and expectations of African Americans, the American Congress was under international pressure to establish equal civil rights. This was revealed in the great homecoming of the African American soldiers in the assemblies that were attended by thousands of people in north and south America. The parades addressed the intentional rewarding of the soldiers by ensuring equal rights.

Democracy was a great dream for African Americans in their sentiments. The returning army declared their return from waiting and the back to fight for their Civic rights. The war resulted to fear of labor unrest. This was as a result of bolshevism stemming that originated from Russia in 1917.[21] The return of Black soldiers caused a national surge of violence, which were directed to the African Americans. Some states like Washington and Chicago experienced racial riots, which would shortly become the blueprint for civil liberties.

The response to the resurgences of the white supremacy revealed the depth to which World War 1 and liberty expectations shaped the racial consciousness. The war led to the radicalization of the many African Americans and unrelenting commitment to combat racial discrimination.[22] Some unions such as the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) were formed on the natives’ communities like Jamaica and attracted many followers since such organizations had some principles that promoted African diaspora and Black Nationalism.[23]

The war resulted in migration that catalyzed the African American rights movements and remapped the demography of African American communities in America. Many militants were recruited as black men, and they were exposed to the new ways of life and democracies, to allow them to fight for their own countries. For instance, they claimed democracy as part of the personal tactics, yet their profound political ideals and demanded the communal living up to potentials. Thus, World War 1 reshaped the American experience for African Americans in the twentieth century.

The federal government introduced civil liberties, mostly the right to dissent. The radicalized labor movement was the government’s focus for several reasons. It was successful in the first decade after the war. Many American regions had labor unrest, and strikes sparked.

The Xenophobia and Hatred of Foreigners That Took Place After the War

The alien enemies were the high priorities on the wartime agenda. When Congress declared the war, President Wilson ordered 12 regulations for their treatments.[24] The enemies were prohibited from owning forearms, wireless apparatus, or even crafts. They were denied to make any publications on their attacks upon any entities of the United States government. The areas designed prohibited were not for them to reside. The president would remove them from the locations designated by him, and they were required to register with the government so that to a registration card.

More restrictions were added to twelve restrictions on how these enemies were supposed to approach facilities such as the railways, roads, and Warehouses—this hatred tactic aimed at restricting them from employment.[25] The attorney general was then authorized to declare from time to time, concerning the movements of the enemies as deemed necessary to the public premises and for the public’s safety. Such regulations were required to be provided monthly or any other periodical report on the alien to the enemies. World War 1 ushered to vast programs that were strictly beneficial to the Americans only and not the foreigners.[26] For instance, in their commerce, the railway administration act gave control over railroads as the main transportation to the Americans.

Most of the socialist leaders, together with prominent Communists, believed the First World War was being fought for capitalism. They felt comradeship, only to realize that it also hosteller the foreigners who worked with industrial workforces.[27] The war bitterly slashed on the labor movements with strict authorities since most of the membership was the foreigners.

The charges on the committed crimes ranged from the twenty years to infinity or $10,000. Much of these were subjected to foreigners. The Supreme Court did not consider apparent foreigners’ charges.[28] Americans were cleared and presented to dangers, as the constitution stated. In 1921, the red scare was affected out. It stood as a reminder of how the government could have used national security interests for those who expressed their ideas could be vilified as foreigners. The race also became tangled with labor interest and intolerance of the political parties. Racial riots were sparked when the foreigners migrated to industrial cities.[29] Black Americans increased and became the victims of the red scare. For instance, the FBI targeted Marcus Garvey from Jamaica for deportation for the organization he founded.

Conclusion

The effects of World War 1 on African Americans are seen to receive less attention than World War 2. Distant conflicts in the war brought revolutionary impacts on the black people’s economic, social, and political future. The war impacted all African Americans, both females and males. The dynamic period of experience involved migration, racial injustices, military services, and political protests. Black people win on having rights as Americans paved a Good equality foundation. Essentially, World War 1 helped in the understanding of modern African American history and the struggle for the freedom of black people.

Bibliography

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Cowley, Robert. The Great War: Perspectives on the First World War. Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2004.

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Swanson, Robert. Domestic United States Military Facilities of the First World War 1917-1919. 2000.

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[1] R Floyd, Abandoning American Neutrality [Place of publication not identified]: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016.

[2] Richard L Zweigenhaft and G. William Domhoff, The New Ceos Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2010. P 156.

[3] Richard L Zweigenhaft and G. William Domhoff, The New Ceos.

[4] John Mahon, New York’s Fighting Sixty-Ninth North Carolina: McFarland, 2015. P.106

[5] Tucker, Spencer C. The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia. Routledge, 2013.

[6] Cowley, Robert. The Great War: Perspectives on the First World War. Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2004.

[7] Swanson, Robert. Domestic United States Military Facilities of the First World War 1917-1919. 2000.

[8] CAOIMHE NIC DHÁIBHÉID, “THE IRISH NATIONAL AID ASSOCIATION AND THE RADICALIZATION OF PUBLIC OPINION IN IRELAND, 1916–1918”, The Historical Journal 55, no. 3 (2012): 705-729, doi:10.1017/s0018246x12000234.

[9] Kennedy, David M. The American People in the Great Depression: Freedom from Fear, Part One. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.

[10] Kennedy, David M. Over Here: The First World War and American Society. New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 2004.

[11] Ibid

[12] Keene, Jennifer D., Saul T. Cornell, and Edward T. O’Donnell. Visions of America: A History of the United States. New York: Pearson College Division, 2012.

[13] Ibid

[14] Kennedy, David M. Over Here: The First World War and American Society. New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 2004.

[15] Kennedy, Robert D. State Intervention in the Railroads in the United States and Britain, 1830-1985: Toward a Theory of Incremental and Stepwise Growth of Statism in Advanced Capitalism. 1985.

[16] Keene, Jennifer D., Saul T. Cornell, and Edward T. O’Donnell. Visions of America: A History of the United States, Combined Volume. London: Pearson, 2016.

[17] Keene, Jennifer D., Saul T. Cornell, and Edward T. O’Donnell. Black and White Edition of Visions of America, Combined Volume. New York: Pearson College Division, 2014.

[18] Ibid

[19] Zieger, Robert H. America’s Great War: World War I and the American Experience. Rowman & Littlefield, 2001.

[20] White, James E. Contemporary Moral Problems: War, Terrorism, Torture and Assassination. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2011.

[21] Keene, Jennifer D. World War I: The American Soldier Experience. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2011.

[22] Strachan, Hew. The Oxford Illustrated History of the First World War. 1998.

[23] Keene, Jennifer D. World War I: The American Soldier Experience. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2011.

[24] Keene, Jennifer D., Saul T. Cornell, and Edward T. O’Donnell. Black and White Edition of Visions of America, Combined Volume. New York: Pearson College Division, 2014.

[25] Wendy McElroy, “World War I And The Suppression Of Dissent | Wendy Mcelroy”, The Independent Institute, Last modified 2002, https://www.independent.org/news/article.asp?id=1207.

[26] Wisam Chaleila, “Between A Rock And A Hard Place: Racist, Xenophobic, And Materialist 1920S America Struggling For Home And Identity”, Cogent Arts & Humanities 3, no. 1 (2016), doi:10.1080/23311983.2016.1191123.

[27] Wendy McElroy, “World War I And The Suppression Of Dissent | Wendy Mcelroy”, The Independent Institute, Last modified 2002, https://www.independent.org/news/article.asp?id=1207.

[28] Wisam Chaleila, “Between A Rock And A Hard Place: Racist, Xenophobic, And Materialist 1920S America Struggling For Home And Identity”, Cogent Arts & Humanities 3, no. 1 (2016), doi:10.1080/23311983.2016.1191123.

[29] Ibid