ch.19 sct.3 C.T.#3

WW1 expanded government power in the U.S. The president gained much control over the economy, the government's tactic of propaganda made many private businesses work with the government, and the Espionage and Sedition Acts silenced many protesters.
Congress gave President Wilson direct control over much of the economy, including the power to fix prices and to regulate - even to nationalize - certain war-related industries (p.594). Wilson established the National War Labor Board
to deal with disputes between management and labor (p.595). He also set up the food administration to help produce and conserve food (p.595).
The government set up a propaganda agency to get people to support the war. The agency persuaded artists and advertisers to create art supporting the war, as well as printing millions of written pamphlets and other forms of written word (p.596). Many private businesses started supporting the war effort, mass producing and selling war supplies, growing more food, and conserving food and energy. Businesses also bought and promoted bonds for financing the war.
The Espionage and Sedition Acts were also a reflection of the expansion of government power. Under the Acts, a person could be fined and sentenced to jail for interfering with the war effort (basically speaking out in any way against the war). (p.598). This law went against the free speech amendment of the Constitution, but in wartime, this was accecpted in order to "keep the country together".
During WW1, the power of the U.S. government was supported by many private businesses and expanded so that they had the power to control most of the economy and restrict people's speech rights.