Prior to the military involvement of the United States of America in World War I in 1917, American humanitarian participation during the early years of the war was unprecedented due to the nature of its benevolence and significance. The supply and distribution of staple food to her European Allies battling the war had become the foundational humanitarian venture undertaken by the USA government in the twentieth century.
On being encouraged by the government propaganda and campaign, American people voluntarily aimed to preserve their food surplus, with the commitment of donation to the countries at war. The military participation of America in the war in 1917 had prompted the government to establish the United States Food Administration which only amplified the food saving campaigns and agendas to feed the population and soldiers on both the fronts of Europe and America.
My dissertation delves into making of modern American cuisine, to exhibit the inextricable connection between the history of war and food in America; the shortage of food surfaced as a boon in disguise. Amidst the tumultuous atmosphere of food crisis, American gastronomic culture underwent a profound transformation over time and in such a fashion that it modified and moulded the food habits not only of its domestic population, but also of the global population.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE. A brief of Commission for Relief in Belgium and a prelude to the 1917’s Food Conservation
CHAPTER TWO. (In)Voluntary Food Conservation
CHAPTER THREE. Cutting across races and forging of a cosmopolitan diet
CHAPTER FOUR. Thin body: a demarcator of patriotism (?)
EPILOGUE
Research Objectives and Themes
This dissertation examines the profound transformation of American culinary culture during World War I, exploring how the exigencies of war and government-led conservation efforts reshaped dietary habits, influenced perceptions of nutrition, and intersected with social issues like race and body image.
- The impact of World War I on American food consumption and production.
- The role of government propaganda in promoting food conservation and patriotic diet.
- The intersection of nutrition science, racial constructs, and the development of a cosmopolitan diet.
- The cultural association between body image, thinness, and patriotism during the early twentieth century.
- The evolution of American dietary patterns and their lasting influence on global food habits.
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(In)Voluntary Food Conservation
America had settled its own civil war fifty seven years earlier and until 1917, it had deliberately remained neutral in World War I. Now the Americans were dedicatedly engaged in building their nation along with the lines of prosperity and progression. All the endeavours came to a halt when Germany started its submarine offensive against all the ships in the North Atlantic, and in the process it sank American relief ships. One such event was taken to herald the threat and altered the attitude of Americans, from being neutral to agitation. This anguish was further cemented by the words of American President Woodrow Wilson, who recognised, "We are provincials no longer. The tragic events of the thirty months of vital turmoil through which we have just passed have made us citizens of the world. There can be no turning back. Our fortune as a nation is involved whether we would have it so or not."
While, the Congress would take time to provide funding to the Food Administration, its Secretary Herbert Hoover stirred the nationalistic zeal in people to urge them to begin the voluntary conservations. In spring of 1917, the federal demands were simple. Reasonable purchase of food, prohibiting the wastage of the same, eat less flour, meat, fats, plant gardens to provide long term source of food to the families. Above all, selfless participation was expected of women and children. Posters were circulated to strike sympathy in hearts of Americans for their fellow Allies fighting the war in trenches.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the evolution of American dietary habits, highlighting the role of the Progressive Era and the impact of the Food Administration during the twentieth century.
CHAPTER ONE. A brief of Commission for Relief in Belgium and a prelude to the 1917’s Food Conservation: This chapter explores the historical context of U.S. humanitarian efforts in Belgium and the subsequent rise of Herbert Hoover's food policy during World War I.
CHAPTER TWO. (In)Voluntary Food Conservation: This chapter analyzes the government's use of propaganda and campaigns to secure voluntary food conservation from the American public, while noting instances of public resistance.
CHAPTER THREE. Cutting across races and forging of a cosmopolitan diet: This chapter discusses how nutritional science challenged prevailing racial hierarchies, leading to a more diverse and cosmopolitan American diet.
CHAPTER FOUR. Thin body: a demarcator of patriotism (?): This chapter examines the societal pressure to maintain a thin body, which became increasingly linked to patriotic duty during the war years.
EPILOGUE: The final chapter summarizes the transformation of American dietary patterns and reflects on how these historical shifts continue to influence contemporary health trends and food policies.
Keywords
World War I, American culinary culture, United States Food Administration, food conservation, Herbert Hoover, nutrition science, propaganda, cosmopolitan diet, race, body image, patriotism, dietary habits, Progressive Era, consumerism, food rationing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this dissertation?
The work explores how the food crisis and conservation efforts during World War I transformed American culinary culture and dietary habits in the early twentieth century.
What are the central themes of the research?
The research centers on the intersection of government policy, patriotic duty, nutritional science, social discrimination, and the changing aesthetics of the human body.
What is the main research question?
The study investigates how the political and social pressures of World War I modified the eating habits of the American population and contributed to the formation of modern American cuisine.
Which scientific methods or approaches are used?
The author employs a historical analysis of government documents, contemporary media, and dietary textbooks to assess how socio-political forces influenced food consumption.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body details the transition from initial humanitarian aid in Belgium to domestic food campaigns, the shift in nutritional understanding, and the cultural policing of body size.
How can this work be characterized by its keywords?
The work is characterized by terms such as food conservation, patriotism, nutrition, and dietary transformation, reflecting its interdisciplinary focus on history and culture.
What role did Herbert Hoover play in the food conservation efforts?
Herbert Hoover served as the head of the United States Food Administration, overseeing the national campaigns that pushed for voluntary austerity and systematic food distribution.
Why did body image become a political issue during this period?
During the war, a thin body was increasingly portrayed as a symbol of self-discipline and patriotism, while obesity was socially stigmatized as unpatriotic and wasteful.
How did the perception of "foreign" foods change during this era?
Initially used as markers of racial difference, foreign foods were gradually integrated into a more diverse "cosmopolitan" diet as nutrition science began to override racial connotations.
What is the significance of the "victory garden" movement discussed in the text?
Victory gardens were promoted to encourage civilians to produce their own food, thereby contributing to the war effort and relieving pressure on national food supplies.
- Citar trabajo
- Pratyusha Guha (Autor), 2016, How did food win over the war? A comprehensive study of the impact of First World War on the culinary culture of American population, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/337112
