Kentucky and the Great War: World War I on the Home Front (Topics In Kentucky History)

From five thousand children marching in a parade, singing, "Johnnie get your hoe.... Mary dig your row," to communities banding together to observe Meatless Tuesdays and Wheatless Wednesdays, Kentuckians were loyal supporters of their country during the First World War. Kentucky had one of the lowest rates of draft dodging in the nation, and the state increased its coal production by 50 percent during the war years. Overwhelmingly, the people of the Commonwealth set aside partisan interests and worked together to help the nation achieve victory in Europe. David J. Bettez provides the first comprehensive analysis of the impact of the Great War on Bluegrass society, politics, economy, and culture, contextualizing the state's involvement within the national experience. His exhaustively researched study examines the Kentucky Council of Defense -- which sponsored local war-effort activities -- military mobilization and preparation, opposition and dissent, and the role of religion and higher education in shaping the state's response to the war. It also describes the efforts of Kentuckians who served abroad in military and civilian capacities, and postwar memorialization of their contributions. Kentucky and the Great War explores the impact of the conflict on women's suffrage, child labor, and African American life. In particular, Bettez investigates how black citizens were urged to support a war to make the world "safe for democracy" even as their civil rights and freedoms were violated in the Jim Crow South. This engaging and timely social history offers new perspectives on an overlooked aspect of World War I. The award-winning author of Kentucky Marine "has crafted an excellent account of how World War I impacted Kentucky socially, economically, and politically" ( Journal of America's Military Past ). From five thousand children marching in a parade, singing, "Johnnie get your hoe . . . Mary dig your row," to communities banding together to observe Meatless Tuesdays and Wheatless Wednesdays, Kentuckians were loyal supporters of their country during the First World War. Kentucky had one of the lowest rates of draft dodging in the nation, and the state increased its coal production by 50 percent during the war years. Overwhelmingly, the people of the Commonwealth set aside partisan interests and worked together to help the nation achieve victory in Europe. David J. Bettez provides the first comprehensive analysis of the impact of the Great War on Bluegrass society, politics, economy, and culture, contextualizing the state's involvement within the national experience. His exhaustively researched study examines the Kentucky Council of Defense—which sponsored local war-effort activities—military mobilization and preparation, opposition and dissent, and the role of religion and higher education in shaping the state's response to the war. It also describes the efforts of Kentuckians who served abroad in military and civilian capacities, and postwar memorialization of their contributions. Kentucky and the Great War explores the impact of the conflict on women's suffrage, child labor, and African American life. In particular, Bettez investigates how black citizens were urged to support a war to make the world "safe for democracy" even as their civil rights and freedoms were violated in the Jim Crow South. This engaging and timely social history offers new perspectives on an overlooked aspect of World War I.

From five thousand children marching in a parade, singing, "Johnnie get your hoe.... Mary dig your row," to communities banding together to observe Meatless Tuesdays and Wheatless Wednesdays, Kentuckians were loyal supporters of their country during the First World War. Kentucky had one of the lowest rates of draft dodging in the nation, and the state increased its coal production by 50 percent during the war years. Overwhelmingly, the people of the Commonwealth set aside partisan interests and worked together to help the nation achieve victory in Europe.

David J. Bettez provides the first comprehensive analysis of the impact of the Great War on Bluegrass society, politics, economy, and culture, contextualizing the state's involvement within the national experience. His exhaustively researched study examines the Kentucky Council of Defense—which sponsored local war-effort activities—military mobilization and preparation, opposition and dissent, and the role of religion and higher education in shaping the state's response to the war. It also describes the efforts of Kentuckians who served abroad in military and civilian capacities, and postwar memorialization of their contributions.

Kentucky and the Great War explores the impact of the conflict on women's suffrage, child labor, and African American life. In particular, Bettez investigates how black citizens were urged to support a war to make the world "safe for democracy" even as their civil rights and freedoms were violated in the Jim Crow South. This engaging and timely social history offers new perspectives on an overlooked aspect of World War I.

This book focuses primarily on the Kentucky home front during World War I. It describes how Kentuckians responded to the outbreak of the war in Europe and their response after the United States entered the war in April 1917. Guided by the Kentucky Council of Defense, Kentuckians throughout the commonwealth, from small coal camps to large cities, generally supported the war through Liberty Loans, Red Cross campaigns, and efforts to conserve food and fuel. The book covers opposition to the war; the draft; the war’s effect on the economy; and how the war affected women, children, and African Americans. One chapter focuses on military camps, primarily the extensive new Camp Zachary Taylor south of Louisville. Other chapters examine the role of religion and higher education in support of the war. One chapter discusses Kentuckians who went abroad in military and civilian service. The final chapter covers the end of the war, the Spanish flu epidemic, and memorialization efforts after the war. Kentucky And The Great War Explores The Impact Of The Conflict On Women's Suffrage, Child Labor, And African American Life. In Particular, Bettez Investigates How Black Citizens Were Urged To Support A War To Make The World Safe For Democracy Even As Their Civil Rights And Freedoms Were Violated In The Jim Crow South. This Engaging And Timely Social History Offers New Perspectives On An Overlooked Aspect Of World War I. -- War Breaks Out! -- Kentucky Joins The Great War -- The Kentucky Council Of Defense -- Opposition To The War -- The Draft -- Army Camps -- Food And Fuel Administration -- Women And Children -- African Americans -- The Economy -- Religion -- Higher Education -- Over There -- End Of The War And Aftermath. David J. Bettez. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 399-418) And Index. Front cover -- Copyright -- Contents -- Introduction -- 1 War Breaks Out! -- 2 Kentucky Joins the Great War -- 3 The Kentucky Council of Defense -- 4 Opposition to the War -- 5 The Draft -- 6 Army Camps -- 7 Food and Fuel Administration -- 8 Women and Children -- 9 African Americans -- 10 The Economy -- 11 Religion -- 12 Higher Education -- 13 "Over There"--14 End of the War and Aftermath -- Acknowledgments -- Notes -- Selected Bibliography -- Index "Kentucky and the Great War explores the impact of the conflict on women's suffrage, child labor, and African American life. In particular, Bettez investigates how black citizens were urged to support a war to make the world "safe for democracy" even as their civil rights and freedoms were violated in the Jim Crow South. This engaging and timely social history offers new perspectives on an overlooked aspect of World War I." -- Amazon.com This work focuses primarily on the Kentucky home front during World War I. It describes how Kentuckians responded to the outbreak of the war in Europe and their response after the United States entered the war in April 1917