Progressivism, burgeoning industrialism and urbanization, and a debate over the role government should play in society all characterized the fledgling American society of the early 1900s. Social reform from Prohibition to women suffrage characterized the social changes being affected in American prior to WWI. However, with the advent of WWI, the aim of repressing dissention and other factors related to the war would undermine progressivism. Progressives fought for workerÆs rights and civil liberties, both of which suffered blows due to the warÆs impact on labor and individual freedoms. Likewise, WWI would result in greater government intervention and involvement in American life and society.
The impact of WWI on American society touched nearly all facets of public and private life. Burgeoning industrialism, fueled during the war, continued to transform American society from a rural, agrarian nation into an urban, industrial power. Along with the rise in urbanism and industry came new values in contrast to those of rural life. The increase in industry led to the rise of consumerism as Americans began to enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. As Divine explains, ôWith the advent of the new consumer goods industries, the American people by the 1920s enjoyed the highest standard of living of any nation on earthö (806).
Government involvement in labor, industry, and other facets of American society also increased dramatically due to expansion during WWI. Prior to the War, the U.S. maintained a policy of neutrality. However, the Roosevelt Corollary expanded AmericaÆs role in the international arena. Latin American countries were warned that if they could not maintain stable economic policies and invited foreign intervention, American would intervene in the region. As American industrialism grew during the war and afterwards, the need for ready trade routes unhamp
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