The Selective Service Act, passed by Congress, gave the federal government permission to temporarily increase the size of the armed forces by conscription. Eventually, the measure mandated that all men to register for military service.
By creating a mechanism for conscripting people into the military, the Selective Service Act made war preparation easier and guaranteed a sufficient supply of labor during hostilities. Through the requirement that eligible individuals register and make themselves available for military duty, the act contributed to the development of the manpower required to meet the needs of mobilization during a war.
A government-issued debt security used to fund military operations during times of war or conflict is known as a war bond.
War bonds were an essential source of finance for defense costs, which helped prepare for war. These bonds gave governments the ability to generate significant amounts of public funds, which they used to pay for the armed services' general logistical requirements as well as the acquisition of weapons and equipment.
Transmitting information with the intention of undermining the war effort became illegal under the Act. Subsequently, a wide variety of dissident speech was punishable by the Sedition Act, including anything that insulted the US government, the flag, the Constitution, or the armed forces.
Enacted in the United States during World War I, the Espionage and Sedition Acts were meant to crush dissent and stop the release of information that would jeopardize the war effort. These laws aimed to preserve domestic peace and support for the war by outlawing activities like espionage, obstructing military recruiting, and expressing anti-government sentiment. This helped to foster an environment that was favorable to successful wartime mobilization.
President Woodrow Wilson established the War Industries Board as a federal organization to guarantee the effective and sufficient supply of supplies for the war effort once the United States formally joined the war.
Established in the aftermath of World War I, the War Industries Board was instrumental in preparing for the conflict by directing and organizing the manufacture of war materiel in the United States. The WIB, led by Bernard Baruch, was responsible for allocating resources, establishing production priorities, and promoting industry cooperation to effectively mobilize the nation's industrial capabilities in response to wartime demands.
Under the Wilson administration, the US government established the Committee on Public Information as an independent organization to sway public opinion in favor of the US in World War I, especially on the home front.
By influencing public opinion and gaining support for the war effort through propaganda, the Committee on Public Information was instrumental in preparing the United States for World War I. The CPI contributed to a united national position during the conflict by influencing public opinion, maintaining morale, and encouraging enlistment through a variety of media channels and programs.
Which of these measures do you feel was most important in preparing the nation for war? Why?
The War Industry Board's quick manufacture of war materials, which are essential to the war effort; makes it perhaps the most significant contributor to the country's preparation.
Which do you feel was least important? Why?
The actions of espionage and sedition were probably the least significant since their main purpose was to weaken support for the US and increase that of adversarial nations.