Study Guide Questions

"THE NATIONS FACTORIES GO TO WAR"

25. What made it so hard to mobilize the American economy for war? What did Wilson finally do in 1918?

There were many obstacles that confronted economic mobilization. Sheer ignorance was the biggest roadblock. No one really knew the country's potential and what the country was capable either. Fears of big government and a mixture of "old ideas" strained efforts to run the economy from Washington. In March 1918 Wilson appointed the stock speculator Bernard Baruch to head the War Industries Board.

Bernard Baruch

"WORKERS IN WARTIME"

26. What was the war department's work or flight rule?

The "Work or Fight" rule of 1918 threatened any unemployed male with being immediately drafted.

27. What did the National War Labor Board do?

The National War Labor Board exerted itself to head off labor disputes that might hamper the war effort. The board stopped short of supporting labor's most important demand: a government guarantee of the right to organize into unions.

National War Labor Board

28. How about the IWW's? What was the justification for their activites?

IWW's or Wobblies engineered some of the most damaging industrial sabotage. They were victims of some of the shabbiest working conditions in the country. When they protested, they were beaten up and run out of town.

29. How was labor's support for the war rewarded?

At the war's end, The AF of L had more doubled imembership, and in the most heavily unionized sectors-coal mining, manufacturing, and transportation-real wages had risen more than 20 percent over prewar levels is how the labor's support for war had been rewarded.

30.What grievous setback did labor suffer in 1919?

In 1919, the greatest strike in American history occurred. Quarter of a million steelworkers left their jobs in a bid to force their employers to recognize their right to organize and bargain collectively. The companies brought in 30,000 African Americans to work and this caused bitter confrontations and the steel strike collapsed. This crippled the union movement.

Steel Strike of 1919

31. What triggered interracial tension and violence in northern cities? Wh

at happened in Chicago for 2 weeks in July, 1919?

The face that blacks were suddenly appearing in once all-white areas sparked interracial violence. A reign of terror descended on Chicago for two weeks which included the black and white gangs roaming the city causing ruckus. However, this rrroughness got out of hand and 15 whites and 23 blacks were killed.

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