Soldiers back home
Subtitle: the American Legion in Illinois, 1919-1939
By: Thomas B. Littlewood.
Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
Published: 2004
Place of publication: Carbondale
Language: eng
Number of pages: 187
Subjects: American Legion. Dept. of Illinois -- History -- 20th century.; Illinois -- History -- 20th century.
Description: "Soldiers Back Home: The American Legion in Illinois, 1919-1939 traces the origins of the organization nationally and in Illinois, showing it to be the biggest and most politically committed of the several organizations of World War I veterans. First and foremost a fraternal association of men whose military service set them apart, it was also a social mechanism through which veterans contained and redirected their anger and alienation. Littlewood details how the organization developed quickly into a vigorous pressure group working to influence public policy on behalf of veterans and their families. Concentrating at first on the welfare of children who had lost their fathers in the war, the Legion later became involved in a variety of community service activities and served as a political training ground."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 177-180) and index.