WAR AT
HOME

THE WAR AT HOME:

FEATURED SECTIONS

As New Yorkers rushed to show support for the war effort, a darker side to this patriotic zeal emerged. Suspicion of foreigners was heightened during the war. New repressive laws were enacted and civil liberties came under attack in the name of national security. The need for wartime labor led to an increased migration of African Americans from the South into New York cities resulting in racial tensions. At the same time, these groups were expected to prove their loyalty through unwavering participation in the war effort.

This 1917 photograph, captioned, “Fingerprinting a German,” shows a New York City Police Officer in the process of arresting an unidentified German national or immigrant.

 

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

QUESTIONS OF LOYALTY

Once war was declared, immigrants from the Central Powers and other potential sympathizers immediately fell under suspicion as possible threats to the security of New York. A number of measures were taken to defend the state. On May 21, 1917, the Legislature passed the Peace and Safety Act authorizing the Attorney General to investigate all cases of suspected disloyalty. A system of surveillance was deployed statewide, including listening in on telephone conversations, inspecting mail, and reporting conversations and public statements of suspects. Volunteers for the American Protective League were organized in virtually every community.

 

Background Checks

These correspondences include requests for reports on the loyalty of potential employees. These requests came from companies or organizations such as the American Red Cross.

New York State Archives

Picture Perfect

German-American opera star Ernestine Schumann-Heink photographed here sewing an American flag. Like many lesser-known German immigrants, even Schumann-Heink, who frequently performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, sought to prove her loyalty to her adopted country.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

The 100 Percent American Movement

Many immigrant groups faced significant repression, censorship, and harassment—both from official government representatives as well as from private citizens’ groups such as the American Protective League. This gave rise to the 100 Percent American Movement. This ideology advocated total allegiance to the United States, its customs and traditions, symbols, government, and language. Adherents were generally strictly anti-communist and proponents of restrictive immigration policies after World War I.

 

In some cities, German aliens were required to register and to carry identification cards. German language newspapers became the target of government censorship and New York State schools dropped German from the curriculum. Immigrants from Eastern Europe and of Jewish descent in particular were suspected of radical socialist leanings. The loyalty of some Irish immigrants was also raised, as many supported the nationalist movement in Ireland. Since Ireland was then under British rule, some saw a German victory over Great Britain as a means to gain Irish independence.

 

The U.S. Government’s Committee on Public Information became one of the leading proponents of 100 Percent Americanism, calling for total allegiance to the nation and the war effort.

“Are you 100% American” (1917)

Artist: Stern

Printer: Sackett & Wilhelms Corp., New York, New York

Publisher: Unknown
New York State Library, Manuscripts and Special Collections

American Defense Society

The American Defense Society (ADS) founded in 1915, advocated for American intervention in World War I against Germany and was strongly opposed to Socialism and its potential subversion in the United States. The ADS was also a strong voice for the 100 Percent American Movement and restrictive immigration policies.

“Vigilance Corps”

Artist: Unknown

Printer: Unknown

Publisher: American Defense Society

New York State Library, Manuscripts and Special Collections

 

 

Americans All

This poster features a “Roll of Honor” with distinctly ethnic names, showing soldiers of Irish, Polish, Russian, Jewish, Italian, and Hispanic heritage. The implication being that all had served and died as “100 Percent Americans.” However, the publication of this poster coincided with the formation of the Joint Legislative Committee to Investigate Seditious Activities in New York State, which contributed to increased suspicion of immigrants and to restrictive immigration policies.

Support in the face of
Anti-Semitisim

Between December 3 and 15, 1917, Jewish business and community leaders in New York City pledged to raise $5 million for war relief efforts by requesting a $3 donation from each member of the Jewish population in the city. Despite these efforts and the enlistment of more than 50,000 Jewish soldiers and sailors, the loyalty of the Jewish population in New York and across the United States was repeatedly called into question by anti-Semitic politicians and organizations.

“Americans All! Victory Liberty Loan” (1919)

Artist: Howard Chandler Christy

Printer: Forbes, Boston

Publisher: Re-employment Bureau of New York City

New York State Museum Collection, H-1972.112.1 Q

 

 

 

“New York Jews Will Raise $5,000,000”

Artist: Unknown

Printer: Unknown

Publisher: The Jewish War Relief Committee

New York State Library, Manuscripts and Special Collections

 

 

SABOTEURS

Between 1914 and America’s entry into World War I, Germany sought numerous ways to slow the flow of war materials from the United States to the Allied Powers. With the official American policy of neutrality still in effect, German use of submarines threatened to bring America into the war as an active participant. Thus, the German government sought more covert means to impact shipping: sabotage.

 

Because New York Harbor was the largest port for munitions shipments to Europe, it was in New York City that many German plots were centered. Prior to the declaration of war, diplomats and military officers at the German Embassy in Washington worked with local sympathizers to undermine American support for the Allies. They had limited success; munitions and equipment continued to flow to Europe. While some German immigrants and German-Americans did participate in acts of espionage and sabotage for Germany, the vast majority were patriotic Americans, who remained loyal to their adoptive country.

Protecting New York State

New York State’s infrastructure—including the Barge Canal, Railroads, and the Croton Aqueduct—were seen as vulnerable targets for saboteurs during World War I.

 

The New York National Guard was called to defend the aqueduct that runs 41 miles from the Croton River in Westchester County into New York City against German sabotage. When the National Guard entered federal service, the state turned to the New York Guard, an all-volunteer force, for assistance.

 

Guarding the Aqueduct

Courtesy of the William F. Howard Collection

ARTIFACTS

U.S. Coast Guard Insignia, ca. 1915

These collar insignia are from the Shinnecock and Mecox Coast Guard Stations on Long Island Sound. The Coast Guard was tasked with protecting merchant shipping from sabotage and, before American entry in to the war, with enforcing American neutrality.

New York State Museum Collection, H-2010.47.53-.54

Aqueduct Service Medal

The Aqueduct Service Medal was awarded to members of the New York National Guard and New York Guard for their defensive service during World War I. They had protected the aqueducts that provide water to New York City from sabotage.

Courtesy of the New York State Military Museum

Guarding Lock 3

 

A soldier from the New York National Guard or New York Guard stands watch at Lock 3 of the New York State Barge Canal during World War I.

New York State Museum Collection, H-1990.11

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