Fear and dread will often fuel irrational responses. Some people, normally clear thinkers, will make conscious decisions that violate the basic dignities of mankind. This can be clearly seen in some of the actions taken by American citizens and the United States Government during World War I.
The reasons for these evil decisions have many causes. First, there has to be a clear enemy. Second, this enemy must be seen as a grave threat to a country’s way of life. Third, those attacked must seem different and unwilling to accept the popular point of view. Fourth, the extreme nature of the threat causes people to panic and seek scapegoats to blame for their troubles. Ann Bausum has written an outstanding account of the loss of freedoms during the First World War in the United States. The name of this important title is "Unraveling Freedom: The Battle for Democracy on the Home Front During World War I."
With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Europe becomes engulfed in carnage and mayhem unknown in history. Battles accomplishing nothing are fought again and again. The slaughter is so great that some justification for it is needed. The Allies (Great Britain, France and later the U.S.A.) demonize the German armies. The Germans cease to be seen as people and are transformed into "the Huns." When the U.S.A. joins the war in 1917, the Allies are very close to losing the war. The "Huns" are seen as a clear threat to Western Civilization. President Wilson creates the Creel Committee to produce propaganda to convince the American public that the heroic sacrifice of the nation is necessary to defeat the barbaric Huns. George Creel, the committee’s director is the original "spin master." The nation becomes convinced that anything seen as being able to defeat Germany is the right thing to do.
Wilson and the Congress pass the Espionage Act and the accompanying Sedition Act at this time. The Postmaster General begins censoring mail deemed to be "unpatriotic." Normal citizens start turning in their neighbors on the alleged charges of treason. The teaching of German in public schools is forbidden and German books are taken from libraries and publically burned in some towns. People speaking German are questioned about their loyalty to the United States. Even the word sauerkraut is changed to "liberty cabbage" (p. 43 of text). Vigilante groups repeatedly take action into their own hands by assaulting German-Americans.
While formally stating that he is making the world "safe for democracy," Wilson allows laws to be passed that create a sense of fear and loss of democracy throughout the country. Eventually, social critic H.L. Mencken states: "Between Wilson and his brigades of informers, spies, volunteer detectives, perjurers and complaisant judges…the liberty of the citizens has pretty well vanished in America" (p. 55 of text).
Were the measures imposed on the American people during World War I justified? Can the American government ever abandon the First Amendment of the Constitution because it is inconvenient? Should the government be able to read the mail of citizens and newspaper editors, as was done throughout World War I? How does fear and panic cause normal people to give up liberty for a supposed protection? Was Mencken right? Did a form of tyranny fall on the United States during World War I? And finally, what does it actually mean to be a loyal American? To search for the answers to these issues, check out this unsettling book, "Unraveling Freedom," by Ann Bausum.
I found reading this book to be a haunting experience. The questions raised by Bausum are quite pertinent today. In an electronic world, power can be easily abused. This is not a happy read, but it is very important to be aware of the issues she raises. It has often been said that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance.
