World War I and Its Impact on Oklahoma

The first world war (1914-1919) brought flush times for Oklahomans. Governor Robert Williams cooperated fully with President Woodrow Wilson’s war preparedness campaign. War contracts from France and Britain poured into Oklahoma and many other states, too. Then, in 1917, America entered the war on the side of the French and the British. The United States and its allies needed all the food, fuel and other material goods that Oklahomans could produce. 

State citizens also cooperated with Liberty Bond drives to help pay for the war. On the different bond drives, the state always surpassed its quota. Local draft boards and local councils of defense also did their jobs. The people of Oklahoma strongly supported the American Red Cross. It had chapters in all Oklahoma counties. At times, Oklahomans were inconvenienced by wartime rationing on products like rubber, fuel and certain foods. But no one was really deprived.

Women were especially helpful during the war. They made bandages and put together hospital supply kits. They operated canteens (social centers) for state and federal troops. They also helped each other stay in contact with their husbands, brothers and sons if they were in the service. The women made blankets, knitted socks and sent "comfort" boxes of candy, other food, tobacco and many other items to soldiers at war. More women also worked outside the home. They secured jobs in the defense industry. They did their part to help win the war.

Oklahoma’s men and women did much to win the war. Approximately 91,000 men, including 5,000 African-Americans, fought in the war. The most famous Oklahoma units that fought in Europe were elements of the Oklahoma National Guard, commanded by General Roy Hoffman of Chandler. Since the name Oklahoma came from two Native America words that meant "land of red men," it was most fitting that a Choctaw Indian became the most decorated Oklahoma soldier. His name was Joseph Oklahombi. Oklahombi was a "code talker" during the war. Choctaw Code Talkers used their Indian language to send messages between American Army companies. The Germans were never able to translate the messages written in the Choctaw language.

The war had its negative side on the homefront. Before the war, Oklahoma had a sizable socialist movement. Because socialists did not support the war, they were persecuted by others. The Oklahoma Council of Defense was formed to help ensure support for the war. Unfortunately, the organization became a means for persecuting ethnic Germans, members of labor unions and people who would not buy Liberty Bonds. The Green Corn Rebellion made matters worse. It occurred in 1917 and was led by labor union leaders in the Industrial Workers of the World (sometimes called just the "IWW"; also called "the Wobblies"). During the rebellion, poor white and black sharecroppers, protesting their poverty, destroyed public property such as water mains, bridges, pipelines and telephone lines. Authorities had no choice but to use force to stop the rebellion.

Additional Resources

Study Guide Questions:

1. How did World War I affect Oklahoma's economy?
2. How did women in Oklahoma help win World War I?
3. What was the most famous Oklahoma unit that fought in World War I? Who was its commander?
4. Why was Joseph Oklahombi? What was his job in the war?
5. What was the Green Corn Rebellion?

Vocabulary

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