At the dawn of a new century, the Roosevelt administration oversaw a shift in policy that accompanied America's debut as a quickly emerging world power. After all, an increase in competition meant an increase in the risk of war. There was great emphasis on building up naval power "second to none" as given the geographic advantage the nation boasted relative to other world powers, there was very little risk of land invasions.11 Even though the focal point of military policy centered on defense, by the time war broke out in Europe in 1914, it was the first time such policies "directly influenced American politics" in peacetime.2 And although various imperial defense priorities slowed down modernization and reform of the military, American internationalists were quick to form preparedness lobbies and propaganda programs to garner support for greater military spending.3
When America finally did enter the Great War in 1917 under the Wilson administration, there was some disconnect between what the public hoped for and expected compared to the government. Many Americans simply saw it sensible to help free France from German autocracy; however, President Woodrow Wilson outlined American war aims into "Fourteen Points," including open diplomacy, disarmament, freedom of the seas, and economic development.4 The nation also faced many difficulties when it came to mobilization as few understood that a full mobilization would also involve economic mobilization (and regulation) as well, something the country had little experience with. Even though gallant progress was made, the American economy could not keep up with the demands of the military and faced many shortages of both military and civilian goods and supplies.5
Purpose
The primary purpose of much of the propaganda before and during America's entrance into the Great War was to galvanize the mobilization of both the military and the economy. This was the first time the nation was part of a global struggle that asked people to give up personal comfort "for the greater good."6 Because the government was also aware of the unpopularity of forced conscription, there was much effort to soften the draft using civilian rather than federal officials and recruitment drives that emphasized voluntarism and community effort. Thus men were heavily pushed to join the military, and by 1917, 3 million men had enlisted, although only half a million men were ultimately drafted.7 Civilians in the meantime were encouraged to help lessen the economic burden and purchase war bonds as well as provide financial support for war relief but most importantly, to hate and fear the enemy while bolstering morale.