Final answer:
War efforts can suppress social problems by fostering national unity through collective action and shared purpose, dominating the public consciousness and overshadowing individual issues. Aggressive propaganda and government measures reduce dissent and focus society on the needs of the front lines, though racial inequalities and tensions may still persist.
Step-by-step explanation:
During times of war, efforts to mobilize the home front can suppress social problems in various ways. First, by enlisting the entire society into the war effort, from scout troops organizing relief drives to families participating in meatless and wheatless days, a sense of collective action and shared purpose can overshadow individual social issues. This gives people a sense of pride in their contributions and can temporarily alleviate the focus on internal disputes. Furthermore, government propaganda plays a key role in fostering national unity and discouraging dissent. The portrayal of the war as a moral struggle combines with restrictive laws to diminish the voices of opposition, aligning society towards a common goal.
Another factor is the economic mobilization necessary for war. The Wilson administration’s control over food, fuel, and machinery distribution, along with price setting and rationing goods, shifted the focus of the population to meet the needs of the front lines. Such measures, combined with the conscription of millions of men into military service, created an environment where political dissent was less tolerated, as the national focus was on supporting the troops and ensuring victory.
However, even during times of heightened patriotism, social tensions persisted. For groups such as African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Japanese Americans, the promise of unity did not transcend racial barriers, resulting in inequality and in some instances, outright hostility, despite their contributions to the war effort.