American Patriotism During World War One Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

American Patriotism During World War One - Essay Example The army provided concise stirring and patriotic speeches in the local communities. The information had both positive and negative effect on patriotism. On one hand, it persuaded people to identify with America and think that, their country was doing the right thing. On the other hand, the information demonized those who opposed the war. Among other things showing American patriotism is the Espionage Act of 1917. The act recommended stiff penalties to those who declined to work in the American armed forces during the war, helped the enemy or distributing information against the war. The Sediction Act was also enacted making it illegal to engrave or publish anything that criticized the government, the army or the constitution on the basis of the war. As a result, many people ended up being convicted by the law for violating these acts as they were considered unpatriotic. All these acts were created in an attempt to create and define patriotism due to the World War 1. The United States wanted to prove that it was a world power thus, the need to make the people invest their efforts in the war. The only way the government could do this is by increasing people’s patriotism to the country. ... For instance, some communities barred teaching of German language in government schools; hence, German Americans were irregularly targets of mob violence. Those Americans who opposed the government’s participation in the war or condemned president’s administration strategies faced challenges to their patriotism. They also risked being convicted or imprisoned based on the Sedicition and Espionage Acts. Even at the end of the war, any patriotic Americans became worried due to the threatened homeland security resulting from the radical ideas adopted, hence, the red scare. During World War 1, passionate patriotism was widespread in the United States. It was as a result of the patriotism, that the red scare took place. During this war, Armistice was performed in 1918 and around nine million people were employed in war industries as suggested by Lorini (1999). Other four million worked in the armed forces hence this shows how people were being patriotic. The Americans showed their patriotism in two main ways during the World War 1. First they showed patriotism by sending sixteen million soldiers to fight in the war. In order to achieve this number of fighters the government had to create a sense of patriotism among the citizens. This patriotism was created through circulation of information (propaganda) which was either correct or not. This was aimed at creating the citizens’ interest in their country hence the willing to fight for it. Secondly, there were also many companies which produced wartime materials. The American government established many companies which ensured sufficient supply of fire arms used by the soldiers during the World War 1. Many people including women who wanted to proof patriotic to the country participated in these companies and