Summary
Highlights
In the early 20th century, a global peace movement was at its peak, and many people opposed the US entry into World War I for various reasons. These included religious and secular pacifists, feminists who saw war as a masculine undertaking, and those who argued that war was not beneficial for working people or countries. Specific groups like German-speaking and Irish-Americans, particularly in the Midwest and far West, also opposed the war due to their ancestral ties or historical grievances against the British. The American labor movement likewise argued that the war did not serve the interests of ordinary workers, while Southerners and Midwesterners believed the war was primarily for the profit of Northeastern industrialists.
To maintain national unity and industrial production, the government actively suppressed dissenting voices. Members of organizations like the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) faced severe repercussions, including violence and mob attacks. Employers were known to use strike-breakers, state police, and national guardsmen to violently quell any unrest. Refusal to support the war effort could lead to significant difficulties.
Despite the adoption of the draft, the law also established the right to conscientious objection for religious or other reasons. During the war, 65,000 men claimed this status, refusing active military service or seeking non-combat roles. However, in the patriotic frenzy that swept the nation, it was challenging to convince authorities of the validity of objections. Conscientious objectors faced intimidation, bullying, physical violence, and prosecution for refusing orders. They were often viewed as a danger to the war effort, leading to social ostracization and legal issues. While many were eventually freed from prison and resumed their lives, they often carried the burden of a prison record and a label of unpatriotic behavior, with long-lasting consequences.
Military service became deeply intertwined with citizenship, meaning those who opposed the war faced increasing scrutiny from neighbors and government officials. Laws were enacted that criminalized criticism of the war or the government's war effort. Organizations like the American Protective League investigated suspected cases of disloyalty, leading to legal charges for ordinary citizens who simply expressed criticism. Although objectors were eventually freed, the stigma and legal records had lasting impacts, reflecting that the divisions created by the war did not simply disappear.
Even after the war, deep societal divisions persisted. The return of soldiers and a troubled economy, coupled with the recent socialist revolution in Russia, fueled political fear and controversy. This culminated in the first Red Scare, as many Americans feared the spread of socialist ideas to the United States. This era led to investigations, raids, and deportations of individuals who opposed the government or held radical views. Thus, while the war ended in November 1918, a true sense of peace and stability took much longer to achieve in the United States.