Idaho During World War I
[Rickie Lazzerini]
When America entered the war on April 6, 1917, the country's focus on
political and social reform made a dramatic switch to wartime efforts. Idaho
contributed to the war effort in a number of ways, including agricultural
production, conservation, and manpower. The state's Council of Defense was
organized by May of 1917 and quickly began promoting patriotism. The Idaho
National Guard, Second Regiment, which had been sent to the Mexican border to
guard against Francisco (Pancho) Villa and his raiders, was recalled and sent to
war. A total of 19,279 Idahoans were active in the armed forces; 782 were
killed.(13)
Idaho produced more than soldiers for the war effort. Production of
agricultural products increased dramatically, as did prices, resulting in a boom
for farmers. This increased demand for agricultural goods and soldiers caused a
labor shortage in the state. Courts postponed trials to allow jury members to
work in the fields, schools gave fall and spring vacations so students could
help out, and even local businessmen lent a hand. The demand of the war called
for conservation as well as increased production. Idaho families, like most
American families, had wheatless and meatless days to conserve food. They also
produced as much of their own food as possible by planting victory gardens and
canning goods.
Not all of the effects of war in Idaho were positive; anti-German
sentiment became common. In 1917, Idaho was home to 4,000 German-born citizens
and 1,000 Austro-Hungarian citizens who lived in fear of discrimination and
vigilantism. Idahoans held German-language book burnings, and German language
was dropped from school curriculums. Another unfortunate side-effect of the war
was the world-wide outbreak of Spanish Influenza. The flu reached Idaho in
October of 1918. Public events were cancelled, and theaters, churches,
dancehalls, and schools were closed. Entire communities were quarantined. World
War I brought an era of prosperity for local farmers and businessmen, but the
decrease in demand during the following decade caused a recession that would
damage Idaho's economy.
The Great Depression in
Idaho
[Rickie
Lazzerini]
The decade of the 1920s is often referred to as the "Roaring Twenties"
in many American history books, but that wasn't the case for many in Idaho.
Industry in Idaho was sluggish after war demands ceased. Inflation hurt farmers
who were plagued with over production and lack of demand. The lumber industry
witnessed a state of decline as well. The state was also experiencing a period
of population loss that began with the end of the gold rush in 1890. Beginning
in 1890, over 50,000 people had left Idaho, mostly for California. The poor
economy in Idaho foreshadowed the great depression that was to hit the country
in the following decade.
Despite the fact that Idaho's economy had been struggling throughout
the 1920s, this did not prepare them in any way to deal with the devastation of
the Great Depression that would follow. Farmers suffered the most; wheat prices
dropped to $0.26 per bushel, and cattle dropped to $20 per head, which was the
lowest price since 1890. Idaho farmers' total cash income fell from $116 million
in 1929 to $41 million in 1932.(14) The value of gold rose during
the depression, causing a small gold mining boom, but most industries were in
distress.
Relief came from the government through the plethora of "alphabet
soup" agencies, such as the CCC, CWA, and the WPA. The Federal Emergency Relief
Administration (FERA) gave direct grants to local and state governments. For
every three dollars spent by the local government for relief, the federal
government gave one dollar. This program provided $16 million in relief for
Idahoans between 1933 and 1935.(15) The Civil Works Administration
(CWA) hired many Idahoans during the winter of 1933-1934. These workers built
roads, streets, bridges, hospitals, and airports. The Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC), The Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the National Youth
Administration (NYA) also created employment for many Idahoans during the
depression. The government provided aid for farmers in need through the
Agricultural Adjustment Act, the Farm Credit Administration, and the Farm
Security Administration. These programs helped the people of Idaho survive the
Great Depression, but it took another world war to totally revive the economy.
Idaho During World War II
[Rickie
Lazzerini]
The demands of the Second World War were powerful enough to reverse
the slump in the economy and pull the nation out of the Great
Depression. Idaho contributed manpower and resources to the war effort. Over
60,000 Idaho men and women served in the war; 1,784 were killed. Idaho's natural
resources and agriculture were tapped for the war causing a boom in the state's
economy. Livestock products, including beef, pork, chicken, and eggs were all
exported. The Idaho potato, beans, peas, onions, corn and fruit were also
produced for the war. Idaho's abundant minerals, such as lead, zinc, silver, and
tungsten, were mined and transformed into war goods. The lumber industry in
northern Idaho received large orders. In 1942, mills in Potlatch, Coeur d'Alene,
and Lewiston produced 427 million board feet of white and ponderosa pine.
Idaho was also home to the construction of numerous military bases.
Farragut Naval Base was constructed on the south end of Lake Pend d'Oreille. The
project employed 22,000 men. After construction, over 5,000 men were stationed
at the base and its six boot camps. The Army and Air Force used Gowen Field near
Boise as a major B-24 bomber base. In addition, Sun Valley Resort closed during
the war and was used as a Navy hospital. Idaho became home to two major and
sixteen minor German and Italian prisoner of war (POW) camps. The largest camps
were located at Farragut and Rupert, others were in Rexburg, Sugar City, Rigby,
and Idaho Falls.(16) The Second World War recovered Idaho's failing
economy completely and put to use the agricultural, natural, and political
resources of the state.