The USA’s official isolationist policy towards European politics was a belief firmly embedded in its citizens. This meant that in order for the US to become involved in World War One, it would need soldiers to enlist for the war, as well as a complete change in attitude of the American people. This was achieved through political change – through the escalation of the CPI’s role in the government, and through the application of government propaganda in the media. This encouraged social change, as many male citizens enlisted in the army, becoming soldiers, leaving women and the elderly behind.
As it was required for factories and other industries to produce goods without men to work, the women were able to replace them. This meant a drastic social change for America, as previously, women had been given little economic or social freedom, but could now wear clothes more practical and more suited to working (a social change), and could have economic freedom.
Besides women, another minority group was given more status, albeit very insignificant. African-Americans were needed to contribute to the war effort, and although the majority did not fight (instead working to produce goods, or helping the cause in other ways), there were a vast number who were on the front lines. These African-Americans had limited status in the army, and were only allowed to be a high ranking position for an African-American unit.
The economic changes relating to the US propaganda (a political change) wee also significant. The US became completely involved in World War One, taking up a state of “total war”. This also involved a focus in the industry on producing goods for the war effort, for example, bombs or shells. This was an economic change that resulted after the change in political stances on the war.
Effectively, little did change socially for the African-Americans, except for the fact that they too were utilised during the war.
One of the government initiated economic changes was the introduction of liberty bonds (loans to the government to be able to afford the war effort). The propaganda through the US government (a political initiative) led to this economic change, as the flow of money that would normally be directed towards the US citizens and to buy luxuries was instead directed to the government. This meant that another economic change took place with regards to industries relying on luxury – for example, toys. These industries were in much less demand during the war, and were seen as less important than munitions factories, uniform factories and other war related industries. This meant that the US market was completely changed, and gained power, and luxury related industries did not profit particularly during the war.
After the war had ended, a number of changes also directly influence other events and changes to occur. As a result of the political change in the government with regards to the CPI and propaganda utilised, millions of males enlisted to become soldiers in the American army. As a result of this, women were empowered through the workforce. However, when four million males returned from the battlefields, they needed jobs. Even though many women were fired from their jobs to make way for the men, returning soldiers were very fortunate to find a job, and many were unemployed. As prices had doubled from 1914 to 1919 but wages had remained the same, many problems resulting from these economic changes were apparent. A wave of violent strikes occurred as the result of this economic change.
Furthermore, industries that had previously been utilised for rapid production of war-related produce were now not in high demand, and as the USA’s economic strength at the time was based around these war goods, the USA’ economy had to change. This economic change was the result of the economic change that prompted the US economy to produce more and more war goods.
The USA changed socially, economically and politically during World War One. These changes prompted other changes to take place, and other consequences to occur, before, during and after the war.
