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In <\/span>German Subjects Within Our Gates <\/span><\/i>by the National Committee on Prisons and Prison Labor, thi<\/span>s piece attempts to explain the potential precautions taken by the U.S. Government to protect the war machine from German Americans. However, the most interesting p<\/span>art of this pamp<\/span>hlet is the passive, vague and almost subtle direction of necessary internment of enemy aliens.<\/p>\n For example, the government constantly reminds the reader that it \u201cbelieves that there will be little need for an internment program.\u201d (6) It appears that this pamphlet served as an overtly simple but necessary reminder to German Americans during wartime. The National Committee on Prisons and Prison Labor writes with such apathy that the pamphlet seems only to be a formality of the nation during wartime. Fear, anger, and angst about the \u201csavage German Hun\u201d that characterized so many WWI enlistment and propaganda posters is nowhere to be seen. Furthermore, this pamphlet does not really attempt to scare potential saboteurs from damaging the American \u00a0war effort. While it does warn that there are laws in place for repercussions, the government admits that it \u201cwill probably follow the Canadian system.\u201d (6) Although it claims that systems and regulations are being developed, a sense of doubt and uncertainty over the future of the internment program questions the American ability to enforce these policies. Likewise, a large portion of the pamphlet is dedicated to describing the conditions and terms of different internment programs wo<\/span>rld-wide. The section ends in illustrating the potential freedoms granted to intern prisoners in Canada. Enemies held in these camps could earn wages, visit their families and even be released on parole under supervision. Thus, one can argue that this pamphlet doesn\u2019t even try to intimidate German Americans and create anxiety over enemies in the homeland.<\/p>\n So if the government didn\u2019t intend <\/span>German Subjects Within Our Gates <\/span><\/i>to manifest fear around enemy spies, what is its goal? This can be confusing because the societal conception and general truth about the United States during World War 1 is one of racial uneasiness and patriotic embodiment. 100% Americanism, vigilantism, and democratic spirit captivated the country and motivated it towards war. To many, any potential threat or citizen who wasn\u2019t doing their part needed to be correctly punished and dealt with, often through illegal and immoral methods. Why wouldn\u2019t they want a pamphlet that struck fear into German Americans and kept them at bay? For one, the government probably understood the wide audience of this piece. Friendly nations such as Canada could read this piece. Thus, the United States wanted to maintain their image of the world\u2019s \u201cChampions of Demo<\/span>cracy.\u201d By treating their enemy with respect, this would augment this image and enable Wilson to earn and actually oversee the treaty upon the conclusion of the war. As the most moral and ethical nation, the United States would be viewed as the obvious choice to mediate any discussion between the European powers. Moreover, the government may have been trying to convince German Americans to resist sabotage against the country. In the first paragraph, the pamphlet constantly refers to them as \u201cfriends\u201d and doesn\u2019t want \u201cto harm them, to interfere with their normal activities, or cause them any unpleasantness.\u201d (2) They simply want them to act as Americans, not Germans. Therefore, this pamphlet seems to take a stronger stance on persuasion opposed to intimidation.<\/p>\n In total, the pamphlet <\/span>German<\/span><\/i>\u00a0Subjects Within Our Gates <\/span><\/i>provides an interesting examination into the attempts of the American government to strongly influence people both within and outside of the county. They were willing to use a variety of methods to fulfill their mission and win the war. For this reason, pamphlets and pieces of propaganda alike need to be viewed with open and careful consideration of the political, social, and economic environment of the time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In German Subjects Within Our Gates by the National Committee on Prisons and Prison Labor, this piece attempts to explain the potential precautions taken by the U.S. Government to protect the war machine from German Americans. However, the most interesting … Continue reading