National Security During World War I and II
As WWI began and many Americans began to choose sides, it was obvious that staying out of the war was no longer an option. After the Zimmerman Telegraph, Americans felt threatened so they heightened national security.
Then, the Germans hit closer to home when they sank the Lusitania and killed 128 Americans. Thus, the United States became more involved in the war and closer to the Allies. Much of America was hit by the war, but the economy was changed the most. There were shortages of military supplies, not for the United States, but for other nations. This led the government to take more control over many production issues. While the government was no doubt involved in the economic issues during WWII, “the extent to which the federal government exercised control over the economy during World War I has never since been matched.” As a whole, America welcomed the government intervention. In both wars, America entered only after the government started regulating so that “a fully committed American public and government” would be brought into the wars. This would make sure that the government was more aware of national problems so the nation could be considered more secure. One way that the government became involved was partnering with businesses and forming a bond. During WWI, agencies were created that consisted of government officials, business leaders and citizens.
The businesses offered all of their cooperation so that America could be a stronger nation. In WWII, Roosevelt pulled in bigger businesses for any extra help they could offer. By pulling in big businesses during both wars, America became more prepared for war. When the nation was more prepared and had better supplies, our national secure was more secure. The government realized this logic as they began to secure enough war supplies to make America a strong power. In both wars, America ended up giving supplies to other nations. The methods were not always similar, but they did try and make America’s security safe by gaining allies. In WWI, the War Industries Board was created to oversee the production of any war materials. At the beginning, the board was not producing the desired answer that the government was looking for. Eventually the economy became more stable and the production of materials was more efficient. Due to this, we were able to supply the Allies with food. Even though Americans had to suffer a little by conserving food, it helped strengthen our war bonds. By having alliances in the war, Americans could feel safer, but since we were at war, we were bound to have enemies. With nations behind America and vice versa, America’s national security was more out of harms way.
In WWII they again supplied materials to other countries vital to American security. The Lend-Lease Bill was created so that the president could lend war materials to other countries. Before America could get to the point where they gave supplies, there was the Neutrality Act of 1935, 1937, and 1939. The Neutrality Act of 1935 prohibited the sale of arms to nations at war. This was done because the president thought it would make America neutral. It would keep the United States out of European circumstances. It didn’t turn out as the government wanted because it would work to our benefit to make money and sell the goods. In 1939, America backed down from neutrality and started selling goods even to belligerent nations. But to maintain all security, a neutral water zone was created and no war ships were allowed in that area. By selling these goods, America was more economically secure. Domestically, America was secure because they could afford more war supplies. More war supplies would then offer more protection. If America was feared, then they were less likely to be attacked.
The government thought they had all areas covered by making the 300-mile neutral zone. Another similarity between the wars was how we decided to make our nation safe. In WWI, the Selective Service Act was created to require men to register for duty. Overall, Americans agreed with this method so it was used again in WWII. The difference is that this time the draft was during peacetime. The Burke-Wadsworth Act got much support as 1.2 million troops were trained for war. With a stronger and more prepared army, our national security would also be stronger in case of any problems.
While many similar tactics were used in the wars to ensure national security, different actions were also taken. One of the biggest differences is when the government decided to put Japanese Americans into internment camps during WWII. Japanese Americans were told that they were not citizens and many were fired from their jobs. This could be similar to the government pulling away some civil liberties during WWI. Forcing someone to leave their home and move to an internment camp is much more extreme than saying you cannot say anything that would offend the government. It was thought that the Japanese Americans posed a threat to American security, which is why the government took such an action. While not many actually thought they needed to be relocated, “no one protested the growing cry that they be relocated away from the coast.” The Executive Order #9066 was signed to allow the military to remove people who are potentially harmful. The government thought this would solve all the nation’s problems, but in the end the government had to compensate all the survivors of the camps. Roosevelt also set up the Atlantic Charter, which would establish a “permanent system of general security.” More than anything, America wanted to remain neutral and in isolationism and this was a set towards that.
Wilson set up Fourteen Points at the end of WWI to create a “lasting peace.” The Allies accepted some of his terms, mainly the League of Nations. This strengthened national security because it gave nations an opportunity to talk. There was more peace and less aggression. When the Germans ended the war, they asked for a basis on Fourteen Points. Once the wars had started, America made it very clear that they wanted to be isolated from the war. During the wars there was a desire for economic control. But in WWII, Roosevelt took an extra step and set up the Office of Price Administration. This was set up to control prices and have a government regulation. Originally, the OPA along with the War Production Board and the War Labor Board did not stabilize the economy. But eventually the economy became more stable and stronger and as a result, the nation would be sturdy as it entered the war. When the nation is secure, it is harder for any harm to come to the people.
In both wars, America made it clear that they wanted to stay neutral and not choose sides. Isolationism was America’s method to all the madness. Once entering the war, the government made sure all aspects were stable so that our national security was could not be touched. They made sure our economy, army and government were situated and stabilized so we could enter the war. Many of the steps taken were similar to ensure our national security, but some steps were taken off of the path to try new things.
Carol Berkin, Making America: A History of the United States (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001), 479.
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