1. War Industries Board (WIB) - The main regulatory body was the War Industries Board. It was established in 1917 and reorganized under the leadership of Bernard M. Baruch. The board encouraged companies to use mass production techniques to increase efficiency and urged them to eliminate waste by standardizing products, such as making 5 colors of typewriter ribbons instead of 150.
2. Bernard M. Baruch (1870-1965) - Led and reorganized the War Industries Board when it was established in 1917. He also became a billionaire before he was 30 by speculating in the stock market. His ability to gather large amounts of information, as well as his friendship with numerous business leaders made him a natural choice to head the WIB.
3. National…show more content… George Creel - Was a writer and newspaper man who also used propaganda to promote war effort during World War 1.
Questions:
1. Describe the effects of the War Industries Board.
Under the War Industries Board, industrial production in the U.S. increased about 20 percent, but the WIB applied price controls only at the wholesale level. As a result, retail prices soared and were almost doubled.
2. What were the side effects of the War Industries Board activities?
The activities of the War Industries Board had several side effects, including the changes in women’s clothing. Accordingly, women stopped buying corsets with steel ribs. Tall leather shoes, which were fashionable disappeared and extra leather went to soldiers’ boots. In addition, Hemlines rose and the fabric that had formerly gone into long skirts went into military uniforms instead.
3. Which two other federal agencies regulated the economy in the interests of the war effort? How did it do so?
The two other federal agencies that regulated the economy in the interests of the war was the Railroad Adminstration and Fuel Administration. The Railroad Administration controlled the nation's railroads, and the Fuel Administration monitored coal supplies and rationed gasoline and heating oil. In March 1819, the Fuel Administration introduced another conservation measure: daylight saving…show more content… Describe the Food Administration set up by President Wilson. Who was in charge? Who made up the staff?
The Food Administration was set up by President WIlson to help produce and conserve food. Herbert Hoover was placed in charge and his staff consisted of volunteers. He organized a publicity campaign that called on people to follow the “gospel of the clean plate”. He also declared one day “sweetless”, “wheatless” or “porkless.”
6. How much did the US spend on the war effort? Where did money come from?
The U.S. spent $33 billion on war effort. The government raised a third of the money through taxes, including a steeper income tax.
7. How was propaganda used to popularize the war?
The government embarked on a massive propaganda campaign to justify civilian sacrifices and sell the war to the public. The campaign had two aspects. On one hand it promoted patriotism and on the other it manufactured hate.
8. What was the significance of George Creel’s “How the War Came to America?”
George Creel’s “ How the War Came to America” promoted the war effort using propaganda. Because he was a journalist/writer, he was able to spread the news to people
