Should The Government Pass President Wilson's Resolution For War?

As the situation in Europe developed into a stalemate between the Allies and the Central powers, actions taken against civilians, namely US citizens, angered the United States. Despite the mounting incentive for war, many Americans were hesitant about joining a war on the other side of the world. However, all of this changed on April 6, 1917, when Congress passed President Wilson’s resolution for war. With public opinion unsure about their participation, the government had to build public support and refocus the entire economy on the war effort. In the interest of preparing for and supporting the war, Congress gave President Wilson control over the economy, allowing him to regulate and nationalize any war-related industries. In order to manufacture

By introducing mass production America was able to transport men, food, and equipment by the thousands to Europe in order to support the Allies. Likewise, the US government had to raise money in a variety of ways to finance the war. Through a progressive income tax, war-profits tax, and excise taxes on luxury goods, the government raised about ⅓ of the $35.5 billion spent on the war effort. The remaining amount was accumulated through the public sale of war bonds--an emotional appeal to citizens that call for them to lend the government money. Aptly named “liberty loan” and “Victory loans” the government sold thousands of war bonds through celebrity volunteers in factories, schools, and on the streets. This constant advertisement increased public inclination to purchase war bonds and provided the government a large reserve to bankroll the war effort. Despite the ability to provide for the war, largest obstacle faced by the government was the lack of public approval. As means to convince citizens to support the war, Wilson set up the Committee on Public Information (CPI), America’s first propaganda