On the home front, people found many ways to support the war effort. One popular volunteer organization was the American Red Cross, which organized volunteers for service abroad as well as at home. In Minnesota, women in local chapters raised money; held classes in first aid, hygiene, and food preservation; and packed boxes full of bandages, knitted garments, and other supplies for those at the front.

Even if they were not volunteering directly with the Red Cross, those at home also “did their bit” to support the war effort by working jobs normally held by men, preserving food, knitting, attending rallies and parades, and much more.

War is expensive, especially on a large scale. The U.S. Government had to raise money to arm, train, and feed the army, so they sold Liberty Bonds. When people purchased a bond, they essentially loaned the money to the government to use for the war effort. There were four Liberty Bond drives during the war, and one right after the Armistice, raising about $17 million total. Buying Liberty Bonds was considered a patriotic duty, and something every American could, and should do.

The United States also needed well-trained officers for their growing military, so they developed a new program called the Student Army Training Corps (S.A.T.C.). This program encouraged young men to remain in school while also getting special military training in topics such as aviation, artillery, and ordnance. The government implemented this program at over 400 colleges and universities nationwide, operating camps at the University of Minnesota, the University of St. Thomas, St. Olaf College, Macalester College, Hamline University, Carleton College, Gustavus Adolphus College, and more.

Read the Chippewa County's World War I history book describing the formation and activities of the S.A.T.C. at Minnesota educational institutions:

With the Colors from Chippewa County, Minnesota, page 110

One negative consequence of the patriotic fervor which spread across America in support of the war was that anyone or anything Germanic was considered the enemy. German-Americans became targets for harassment as their neighbors feared they were spying for Germany. German-language newspapers and churches were forced to use English, and many German-sounding schools, parks, and streets were renamed to sound more “American.”

Worst of all, the U.S. Government required anyone with Germanic heritage to register as “German alien enemies.” Their registration forms provided information on their dates and places of birth, when they arrived in America, and whether they had any existing ties back home. In Minnesota, the Commission of Public Safety enforced these rules in the name of loyalty or disloyalty. Read some documents related to these "Alien Enemies" below:

Learn more about the end of the war or access additional information using the links below.