In the first half of the twentieth century, the United States experienced two major world wars, which profoundly affected American society. While both were European wars, which the U.S. later entered, the impact of each on the home front was different. In an essay discuss the impact of both wars on American society. In formulating your answer be sure to consider the initial struggles with neutrality, the ways the nation encouraged or mobilized support for each war, and how each war affected issues of race and ethnicity during and even after the war. Be sure to cite specific events and ideas in your answer.

The United States entered both World War I and World War II several years after those wars began. While World War I was mainly a European conflict, World War II had major areas of fighting throughout the world. Each war impacted the American people differently.
In World War I, the United States was very hesitant to get involved in the war. President Wilson ran on the idea that he had kept the United States out of the war. This helped him win reelection in 1916. At home, there was some division within the country. Many German Americans believed Great Britain also did things to violate American rights. These people weren’t comfortable going to war against Germany. Once the United States declared war, a wave of anti-German feelings spread across the country. Some schools stopped teaching German. Some German foods were renamed such as hamburger and sauerkraut which became liberty meat and liberty cabbage. The United States had to draft soldiers to fight in World War I. Women and African Americans served in World War I. The government also asked people to buy war bonds to help finance the war effort. While the government coordinated the production of food and supplies, there was no rationing. People voluntarily gave up eating meat and wheat. There were “Meatless Mondays” and “Wheatless Wednesdays.” Some laws were passed to restrict the freedoms of Americans. The Sedition Act made public criticism of war illegal, while the Espionage Act punished anti-war activities. Migration patterns changed as African Americans moved to the North to work in the war industries. After the war ended, there were some clashes between African Americans and white soldiers who were returning home and wanted their old jobs back.
The United States was very determined to not get involved in World War II. The Neutrality Acts of 1935 and 1937 made it illegal for the United States to sell war materials to warring countries. However, as world events became more serious, the laws regarding neutrality were loosened. The United States began to openly help Great Britain with the passage of the Neutrality Act of 1939, the Lend-Lease Act, and the Destroyers for Bases program. Once the United States was attacked by Japan, the whole paradigm shifted for many Americans. We were attacked and needed to join World War II.
There were some similarities and differences with the impact World War II had in the United States compared to the impact World War I had in the United States. Soldiers were drafted, and women and African American served. As in World War I, African Americans fought in segregated units. The government controlled the production of products and materials. Unlike World War I, rationing was used during World War II. People were limited in how much they could buy. Certain items, such as meat, were rationed. The government borrowed money from the American people during both wars by selling war bonds. In World War II, African Americans also migrated to the North to work in the war industries. At times, African Americans faced violence as they moved to the North. Mexican workers came to the United States as part of the Bracero program and helped harvest crops. They also experienced violence and discrimination. Japanese Americans suffered greatly—especially those living on the West coast. They were forced to relocate to internment camps. They had to give up much of what they owned, just because of their ethnicity. These camps were located away from the West coast.
The United States was involved in both World War I and World War II. There were similarities and differences in how both wars impacted Americans living in the United States.
https://www.ushistory.org/us/45c.asp

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https://www.ushistory.org/us/51e.asp