Final answer:
World War I profoundly affected the first American volunteers and broader society, introducing them to the brutal realities of modern mechanized warfare. The romanticized notions of battle were challenged by trench conditions and mechanized weapons, leading to a re-evaluation of technology's role in progress and a 'lost generation' that yearned for a past world. Civil society was also deeply impacted by the loss and trauma of the war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The impact of World War I on the so-called four-minute men, as well as on the broader society, was profound and complex. The first American volunteers soon understood that the battlefield of WWI was unlike any before, with courage and endurance being tested not just by the enemy but also by trench warfare and mechanized weaponry such as machine guns. These advancements in warfare, coupled with diseases, meant that traditional notions of chivalry and honor were obliterated in the harsh reality of modern warfare.
By the end of the war, these experiences had left indelible marks on veterans, shaping their perspectives in ways that clashed with the sanitized versions presented by Armistice Day orators. The mechanization of war led to a re-evaluation of progress and the role of technology, as seen in the decline of movements like Futurism. The collective trauma and loss experienced during WWI fostered a sense of disillusionment and bred a generation that viewed war as a tragedy rather than a rite of passage into manhood, contributing to the narrative of a 'lost generation' that could not return to the world they had once known.
Civilian life was also affected dramatically, with widespread mourning for the lives lost and a realization that the war had irreparably altered societal values and practices. The conflict shook nations to their cores, demanding reflection on imperial ambitions, national identity, and the moral grounds of warfare.