During [World War I] we necessarily turned to the government to solve every difficult economic problem. The government having absorbed every energy of our people for war, there was no other solution. For the preservation of the state the Federal Government became a centralized despotism which undertook unprecedented responsibilities, assumed autocratic powers, and took over the business of citizens. To a large degree, we regimented our whole people temporally into a socialistic state. However justified in war time, if continued in peace-time it would destroy not only our American system but with it our progress and freedom as well.

Question

What were the primary changes in the role of the government during World War 1 as described in the text?

Answer 1

The text describes several primary changes in the role of the government during World War I:

1. Centralization of Power: The federal government became more centralized, taking on greater authority and responsibilities in response to the demands of the war.

2. Autocratic Powers: The government assumed autocratic powers, allowing it to make significant decisions and enforce policies without the usual checks and balances.

3. Economic Management: The government took over aspects of the economy, effectively managing production and distribution to meet wartime needs.

4. Regimentation of Society: The entire population was organized and regimented in a way that could be likened to a socialistic state, indicating a shift in how society was structured and operated under government oversight.

5. Justification for New Roles: While these changes were framed as necessary for the war effort, the text raises concerns about the continuation of such government roles in peacetime.

Overall, the government's role shifted toward a more interventionist and controlling stance, prioritizing national security and wartime efficiency over individual freedoms and traditional economic practices.