In the nineteen months during which the United States was fighting the
war, a wave of social and political change swept across the country. As
American soldiers went "over there," the nation "over here" went through
a dramatic transformation that touched most of the population of 100
million. A major force promoting and shaping this transformation was the
Progressive current that had been evident in the United States since the turn
of the century. Progressives believed that society could be reformed: it was
possible to attack vices deliberately and systematically; it was possible as
well to promote social and economic justice. Using the techniques of the
social sciences and the power of enlightened government. Progressives
believed that they could identify, address, and solve many of the problems
of a rapidly growing industrial society. Thus, the war effort offered an
opportunity to attack alcoholism and prostitution through government
action. Recently arrived immigrants could be brought into the mainstream
of American life and taught middle-class values through systematic Americanization
campaigns, including encouragement to support the war effort.
World History
