War on the Homefront:
Connecticut Goes to War, 1860-1945

World War I, 1917-1919

The First World War began in Europe in 1914, but the United States did not join the conflict until 1917, prompted by the depredations of German submarines. Connecticut troops began mobilization even before the formal declaration of war and Connecticut factories stepped up production of arms and munitions. The production of war materials was perhaps Connecticut’s most significant contribution to the war effort. A booming wartime economy—and rationing of supplies needed by troops abroad—characterized life on the home front.

< By March 9, 1917, twenty thousand Connecticut men had enlisted in the Home Guard, established for the defense of Connecticut industries considered vital to the war effort. New London County had three infantry companies and one machine gun company. The Home Guard also participated in parades and recruitment efforts, including liberty loan campaigns.

Mass Meeting of Citizens Pledging their Loyalty the Day War was Declared
Hartford, April 7, 1917
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< The day after war was declared, the bell of the Old State House summoned Hartford citizens to a meeting on the plaza between the Municipal Building and the Morgan Memorial. There they passed a resolution that “the people of Hartford in public meeting assembled… do hereby tender to the President and Congress of the United States our loyalty and devotion and pledge all of our material and spiritual resources to the successful issue of this war.”

Bond Sales Float, Liberty Loan Parade
Main Street, Hartford, 1917
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< Liberty bonds were sold to help finance the war. Connecticut citizens purchased the largest amount of liberty bonds of any state in the Union—more than $437,000,000! In both the first and second liberty loan campaigns, the state exceeded its quota by 25%. Employers, banks and insurance companies encouraged the purchase of the bonds, and parades helped to arouse support for these campaigns.

< Liberty bonds were sold at this cottage on the Old State House lawn. The sign in the background encourages rationing and reads “Food will win the war, do not waste it.” In order to assure that troops serving overseas had enough to eat, meatless days and sugarless days were instituted on the homefront. Lawns were turned into Victory Gardens and used for growing vegetables.

< On April 30, 1919, a crowd of 200,000 gathered in Hartford to welcome men from Connecticut who fought in World War I. 1500 members of the Crack Yankee Division, including soldiers from the 102nd U.S. Infantry and the 101st Machine Battalion returned after eighteen months of combat and deposited their regimental and battalion colors in the Battle Flag Corridor at the State Capitol.

Link to other essays in this Journey:

>> Introduction: Connecticut Goes to War, 1860-1945
>> The Civil War, 1861-1865
>> The Spanish-American War, 1898-1899
>> World War II, 1941-1945

>> Guideposts
>> Suggestions for further reading