Demobilization: Our Industrial and Military Demobilization After the Armistice, 1918-1920

A historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the complexities of the demobilization process that the United States undertook following the end of World War I. It examines the transition from a wartime economy to a peacetime one, detailing the disbanding of military forces and the management of war contracts and industrial operations, as well as the return of American troops. The opening portion introduces the momentous occasion of the armistice on November 11, 1918, marking the end of hostilities in World War I. It highlights the immediate response from the U.S. government, which involved shutting down the elaborate war machine that had been assembled to support the war effort. The narrative describes the vast scale of American military and industrial mobilization, emphasizing the monumental task of transitioning back to a state of peace while managing troop repatriation, economic stability, and civilian reintegration. It sets the stage for a detailed exploration of the subsequent chapters, which delve further into the processes of demobilization and the challenges faced during this critical period in American history.