The A.K. Smiley Public Library commemoration of the Great War continues with "Experiencing World War I: America During the Great War", a special presentation by renowned World War I historian Jennifer Keene on Saturday, November 3rd at 1pm in the Library Assembly Room.
Most Americans possess only a hazy understanding of World War I or its significance for the United States. So why not leave it there? Why bother with this history lesson? How the nation responded to the challenge of fighting its first modern war re-made America, leading to female suffrage, the modern civil rights movement, the drive to protect civil liberties, new conceptions of military service, and an expanded role for the United States in the world.
This lecture examines home-front mobilization and the experiences of soldiers on the battlefield, while also considering how the war affected women, immigrants, and African Americans. In the inter-war period, Americans tried to learn lessons‚ from the Great War in unexpected ways, revealing additional ways that the war continued to impact American society.
This program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested, but not required.