AP US History: WWI Homefront - The Ultimate Study Guide 🚀

Hey there, future APUSH master! Let's dive into the WWI homefront. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially when you're feeling the pressure. We'll make sure everything clicks, and you'll feel ready to ace that exam! Let's get started!

1. Civil Liberties & Anti-German Sentiment

The Spark: WWI and Xenophobia

• WWI, like other US conflicts, brought up questions about civil liberties and the loyalty of recent immigrants. 🧐

Anti-German Actions

• Cultural Changes:
  • German language instruction was dropped in schools.
  • Sauerkraut became "liberty cabbage."
  • Pretzels vanished from bars.
  • Classical music by German composers was removed from symphonies.
• Violence and Repression:
  • Anti-war figures were attacked, sometimes fatally.
  • Frank Little (IWW) was brutally murdered for his anti-war stance.
  • Robert Prager, a German immigrant, was lynched.

2. Freedom of Speech Under Fire

The Case of Schenck v. United States

• Socialists and pacifists opposing the war faced arrests and punishment.
• Eugene V. Debs, a socialist leader, was jailed for opposing the war. 🧑‍⚖️
• Schenck v. United States (1919) is a landmark case:
  • The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a socialist distributing anti-draft leaflets.

* The famous analogy: You can't falsely shout "fire" in a crowded theater. * This ruling was later overturned by *Brandenburg v. Ohio* (1969).

3. Espionage and Sedition Acts

Government Crackdown

• The Wilson administration actively suppressed dissent.
• Espionage Act of 1917:
  • Punished aiding the enemy, obstructing recruitment, or encouraging disloyalty.
  • Penalties up to 20 years in prison.
• Sedition Act:
  • Punished "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the government, flag, or military.
• Eugene V. Debs was convicted under the Espionage Act and imprisoned.
  • He ran for president from prison in 1920 and still got a million votes! 🤯

4. Propaganda: Shaping Public Opinion

The Power of Persuasion

• The US government used propaganda to promote pro-war and anti-German sentiment.
• Committee on Public Information (CPI) was the main propaganda agency.
• "Four-Minute Men" gave patriotic speeches.
• Propaganda was visual and direct, often using emotional appeals.

Examples of Propaganda

5. Homefront Changes: Work & Migration

Economic and Social Shifts

• WWI increased demand for war production, leading to urbanization.
• Factories needed more workers, especially in northern industrial cities.
• The Wilson administration created temporary wartime agencies:
  • War Industries Board: set production priorities and controlled raw materials.
  • Food Administration: encouraged food conservation for overseas shipment.
  • National War Labor Board: arbitrated labor disputes and improved worker conditions.

New Labor Sources

• Factories hired more women and African Americans.
• The Great Migration: African Americans moved to northern cities for jobs and to escape racial terrorism.
  • They faced less segregation but still experienced discrimination.

The Great Migration is a crucial topic! Understand its causes and consequences. It's a common theme in APUSH.

6. Immigration & Nativism: The Red Scare

Post-War Fears

• Post-WWI, Americans feared communists, socialists, anarchists, and immigrants.
• The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia fueled these fears.

* **Palmer Raids:** Raids on suspected communists, often violating civil liberties.

Final Exam Focus 🎯

High-Priority Topics

• Civil Liberties: How wars impact rights (e.g., Schenck v. US, Espionage and Sedition Acts).
• Propaganda: How governments shape public opinion.
• The Great Migration: Its causes and effects on American society.
• Nativism: The Red Scare and its impact on immigration and civil rights.

Common Question Types

• Multiple Choice: Expect questions on the causes and effects of WWI on the homefront.
• Short Answer: Be ready to discuss the impact of WWI on civil liberties, labor, and migration.
• Free Response: Analyze the extent to which WWI changed American society. Compare it to other wartime periods.

Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on and come back if needed.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers. Be specific and use historical evidence.
• Strategies: Read the question carefully, plan your response, and use your time wisely.

Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the Supreme Court's ruling in Schenck v. United States (1919)? (A) It upheld the right to free speech, even during wartime. (B) It limited free speech, establishing the "clear and present danger" doctrine. (C) It declared the Espionage and Sedition Acts unconstitutional. (D) It expanded the rights of immigrants during wartime.

2. The Great Migration during World War I refers to the movement of: (A) European immigrants to the United States. (B) African Americans from the South to the North. (C) American soldiers to Europe. (D) Industrial workers from rural areas to cities.

3. Which of the following was NOT a direct result of the United States' involvement in World War I? (A) Increased industrial production. (B) The passage of the Espionage and Sedition Acts. (C) The Red Scare. (D) The passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. ### Free Response Question

Analyze the ways in which the First World War (1914-1918) affected American society. In your response, be sure to address both the positive and negative impacts of the war.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a historically defensible thesis that establishes a line of reasoning.
• Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of positive and negative impacts of WWI on American society.
  • Positive impacts might include increased economic production, opportunities for women and African Americans, and the growth of labor unions.
  • Negative impacts could include the suppression of civil liberties, anti-immigrant sentiment, and the Red Scare.
• Analysis (2 points): Explains how the evidence supports the thesis and demonstrates understanding of historical context.
  • Analysis should show how the war led to both advancements and setbacks in American society.
• Complexity (1 point): Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic by considering multiple perspectives or contradictions.
  • This could involve discussing the long-term effects of the war or comparing its impact to other periods in US history.

You've got this! Remember, you're not just memorizing facts; you're understanding the story of the US. Go get 'em! 💪