Final answer:
Militarism significantly increased the size and strength of the U.S. Military as the nation prepared for World War I, with conscription playing a vital role in expanding the armed forces to nearly 4 million soldiers. The mobilization and participation in the war influenced the American character, shaping national ideals of morality and manhood.
Step-by-step explanation:
Analyzing the Impact of Militarism on the U.S. Military
Militarism, characterized by the belief in maintaining a strong military and readiness for war, played a significant role in the expansion of the U.S. Military as the nation prepared for World War I. This concept of militarism was not unique to the United States, with European powers like Great Britain, France, and Germany having significantly increased their military sizes and defense spending during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The driving forces behind militarism include imperialism and nationalism, often triggering an arms race among competing nations.
The United States followed this trend by enlarging its military capabilities. Through measures such as conscription, often referred to as the draft, the U.S. government was able to recruit millions of soldiers into the military. By the end of World War I in November 1918, the US Army and Navy had grown to nearly 4 million soldiers. This growth was partly due to the draft, with about 60 percent of the soldiers being draftees.
The mobilization for World War I had significant implications for American society, shaping the character of the nation and its people. The war effort was perceived by many leaders as a moral crusade and by others, like the aging Theodore Roosevelt, as the ultimate test of manhood. The romanticized notion of war was challenged by the realities faced by soldiers, leading to a more complex understanding of the impact of militarism on the American character.