World War One was the first time countries entered a state of "
total war" That is, when a country's entire economy is solely focused on producing military goods. As you can guess, this creates a shortage of consumer goods.
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| Let them eat....tanks. |
For the first time, the United States had to institute a policy of
rationing. There were household limits on the amount of gas, rubber,sugar, even pantyhose you could purchase.
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| Sorry boys |
To ensure the government's policy was followed, and no riots occurred, the government commissioned artists to create
propaganda posters to make it seem that rationing was essential to winning the war.
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| If you don't eat your peas Jimmy, a soldier will die |
However, there was not universal support among Americans for the United States' entry into World War One. Yet, they all faced rations. Is this fair? Why or Why not?
Post you responses in the comment section below
According to Rousseau's conception of the social contract, by entering into a society, you forfeit certain freedoms. In this case, by being an American citizen you must obey the law, and the law of the land of the time was rationing. Not exactly a fair practice, but one the government is entitled to.
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