The Effects of WWI on America
The Effects of WWI on America World War I was considered the war to end all wars. Not only did it change foreign relationships and policies throughout the world, it also brought many changes to the domestic level of American government and people as well. Through the Selective Service Act, foreign and domestic policies, and shifting ideas regarding nativism and Americanism, World War I made Americans question their government, democracy, and self-image. In 1917, the United States President, Woodrow Wilson, succeeded in passing the Selective Service Act, which made way for the federal government to choose which male citizens were sent to the frontlines based on age and other redeeming qualities. In response to a letter inquiring what exactly the “selective draft” entailed, President Wilson explained:
The principle of the selective draft, in short, has at its heart this idea, that there is a universal obligation to serve and that a public authority should choose those upon whom the obligation of military service shall rest, and also in a sense choose those who shall do the rest of the nations work...to create the impression of universal service in the Army and out of it... (Wilson)
Wilson defended the Selective Service Act by arguing that some men are better where they are and there are different ways to contribute to society and the war effort other than by combat (Wilson). Conversely, Senator Robert LaFollette opposed the idea of the draft because he saw it as “the beginning of the end of our constitutional government” by taking away the freewill of American citizens and forcing them to take part in the murder of others when they did not support the cause nor desire (LaFollette). Senator LaFollette believed “no war [could] be successfully prosecuted that [did not have] the spontaneous support of the men who [did] the fighting” and argued the Selective Service Act should have been put to an advisory vote by the American people since it was their sons
The principle of the selective draft, in short, has at its heart this idea, that there is a universal obligation to serve and that a public authority should choose those upon whom the obligation of military service shall rest, and also in a sense choose those who shall do the rest of the nations work...to create the impression of universal service in the Army and out of it... (Wilson)
Wilson defended the Selective Service Act by arguing that some men are better where they are and there are different ways to contribute to society and the war effort other than by combat (Wilson). Conversely, Senator Robert LaFollette opposed the idea of the draft because he saw it as “the beginning of the end of our constitutional government” by taking away the freewill of American citizens and forcing them to take part in the murder of others when they did not support the cause nor desire (LaFollette). Senator LaFollette believed “no war [could] be successfully prosecuted that [did not have] the spontaneous support of the men who [did] the fighting” and argued the Selective Service Act should have been put to an advisory vote by the American people since it was their sons