This book focuses primarily on the Kentucky home front during World War I. It describes how Kentuckians responded to the outbreak of the war in Europe and their response after the United States entered the war in April 1917. Guided by the Kentucky Council of Defense, Kentuckians throughout the commonwealth, from small coal camps to large cities, generally supported the war through Liberty Loans, Red Cross campaigns, and efforts to conserve food and fuel. The book covers opposition to the war; the draft; the war’s effect on the economy; and how the war affected women, children, and African Amer ... More

This book focuses primarily on the Kentucky home front during World War I. It describes how Kentuckians responded to the outbreak of the war in Europe and their response after the United States entered the war in April 1917. Guided by the Kentucky Council of Defense, Kentuckians throughout the commonwealth, from small coal camps to large cities, generally supported the war through Liberty Loans, Red Cross campaigns, and efforts to conserve food and fuel. The book covers opposition to the war; the draft; the war’s effect on the economy; and how the war affected women, children, and African Americans. One chapter focuses on military camps, primarily the extensive new Camp Zachary Taylor south of Louisville. Other chapters examine the role of religion and higher education in support of the war. One chapter discusses Kentuckians who went abroad in military and civilian service. The final chapter covers the end of the war, the Spanish flu epidemic, and memorialization efforts after the war.