Melting Pot Woes: Suspicions on the Homefront 1917 - 1919
October 1, 2007-October 31, 2008
National Archives - Mid Atlantic Region
After several instances of perceived German aggression, the United States entered World War I on 6 April 1917. Americans at home supported the war efforts in many ways, from voluntarily restricting consumption of certain foods to purchasing war bonds and organizing patriotic rallies and parades.
These efforts to support sons and neighbors fighting overseas took a darker form as well. The U.S. Goverment as well as American companies encouraged the populace to be on the watch for spies and potential sabotage. Americans grew wary of immigrants and perceived non-conformists. Socialists, labor activists and individuals of German heritage became targets of neighborhood and workplace monitoring.
This exhibit of documents, photographs and graphics highlight these particular apprehensions, tensions and actions of individuals, organizations, industries and the U.S. government in the Philadelphia region between 1917 and 1919.
With thanks to the following institutions that contributed to this exhibit: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; National Archives - Central Plains Region; National Archives - Northeast Region, New York City; National Archives - Special Media Branch; Temple University, Special Libraries; Temple University, Urban Archives.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| scan.jpg | 804.42 KB |
| WarofHumanity.jpg | 759.16 KB |
| socialist brochure covers.jpg | 511.47 KB |
