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America First Association

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America First Association poster

America First Association poster designed by Howard Chandler Christy ca. 1920.

The expression “America First” has been used by numerous American organizations and movements since at least 1914. Most of them opposed US involvement in foreign conflicts. The Minnesota-based America First Association (AFA) was an exception in that it was formed to support the United States’ entry into World War I.

Nearly three years after the war in Europe began, the United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. Soon thereafter, a group of prominent Minnesotans, including the president of the University of Minnesota, issued an invitation to “fellow citizens of Minnesota” to attend loyalty meetings in November of 1917. The letter declared that “[our] objects are to unite the people in support of the Government in its gigantic task of winning the war, and to make Americanism the paramount issue of the present.”

Residents in many counties selected delegates to the primary St. Paul meeting, which was held on November 16, 1917. At this meeting, the delegates adopted the constitution for the America First Association, which would be based in St. Paul.

The leaders of the AFA sought to counter what they perceived to be apathy or hostility toward the American war effort against Germany and Austria. Some labor and civic leaders continued to oppose entry into the war. According to the 1910 census, more than half of the population of Minnesota were natives of Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, or Ireland or were children of such natives, and some AFA members were concerned about their loyalty. It was thought that Scandinavians tended to be more sympathetic to Germany than to the United Kingdom. Minnesotans of Irish descent were believed to be hostile to the British. According to the president of the AFA, however, people of all backgrounds could be good Americans if they fully endorsed the American system of government and supported the war effort by, for example, participating in the Liberty Loan program.

The principal activity of the war-time AFA was to conduct meetings throughout the state to promote “Americanism” in support of the war effort. Attendees at these meetings were encouraged to sign pledge cards and join the AFA. The officers and county representatives of AFA held follow-up meetings in which they reported the extent of Americanism in their communities (e.g., 90 percent Americanism). By the end of the war, the AFA claimed more than 100,000 members.

The signing of the armistice ended fighting in Europe on November 11, 1918, thereby eliminating the AFA’s reason for existence. In meetings held in January of 1919, the leaders of the AFA debated whether to disband the organization. They decided to continue but to change their focus from combatting “Prussianism” to fighting socialism and Bolshevism. They also adopted a new constitution and a resolution to advance their new goals.

In the records and publications of the post-war AFA, there was considerable discussion of the dangers posed to the American system of property rights and personal rights. AFA members feared, for example, socialists and their outreach to farmers, the activities of the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) and other so-called radical labor unions, the Nonpartisan League (a farmers’ organization), and developments in the North Dakota government that were considered socialistic.

In its 1919 meetings, the AFA planned to educate students about the virtues of the American system and the dangers of socialism. It proposed to Minnesota education officials that one class period a week be set aside for Americanization work and that one day each school year be designated “America First Day.” It is not clear from the available records for how long, if ever, these plans were implemented.

The AFA demanded that English be used in schools. In 1919, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law requiring the use of English in the teaching of the basic courses. This requirement, with some exceptions, continues to the present in Minnesota law.

AFA organizational records and Minneapolis newspapers do not reflect significant AFA activity after 1919. When World War II approached in the 1930s, new movements adopted the “America First” label, but they opposed, rather than supported, US involvement in Europe.

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“100 Speakers Volunteer for Big Loyalty Drive.” Minneapolis Morning Tribune, December 2, 1917.

The America First Association, Its Aims and Purposes. St. Paul: America First Association, 1917.

P109
America First Association records, 1917‒1935
Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Constitutions, resolutions, meeting minutes, announcements, and other documents related to the formation and operation of the America First Association.

“America First Body Combats Disloyalty.” Minneapolis Morning Tribune, November 10, 1919.

America First magazine 1, no. 1 (April 1919).

America First magazine 1, no. 2 (May 1919).

America First magazine 1, no. 3 (Summer 1919).

America First magazine 1, no. 4 (October 1919).

“Foreignism at Home Scored in Resolution—America First Association Recommends Abolition of Un-American Elements.” Minneapolis Morning Tribune, January 24, 1919.

Holbrook, Franklin, and Livia Appel. Minnesota in the War with Germany. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society, 1928 and 1932.

Kennedy, David. Over Here: The First World War and American Society. Twenty-fifth anniversary edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.

“Loyalty of Towns Throughout State Pledged at Meetings.” Minneapolis Morning Tribune, December 20, 1917.

“Minnesota Declares to Entire World It is 100 Per Cent Loyal.” Minneapolis Morning Tribune, November 18, 1917.

Minnesota Statutes Section 120A, Subd. 9 (2018).

Murphy, Frank. “Twin City Loyalty Meetings Add New Chapter in State’s Already Glorious History.” Minneapolis Morning Tribune, November 23, 1917.

“Necessity of Curbing Radicals to Be Shown.” Minneapolis Morning Tribune, November 11, 1919.

Session Laws for Minnesota for 1919, Chapter 320.

Wagner, Margaret. America in the Great War. New York: Bloomsbury Press, 2017.

“War Declared on Disloyalty in Peace Time.” Minneapolis Morning Tribune, November 15, 1919.

Related Images

America First Association poster
America First Association poster
Cover of America First magazine
Cover of America First magazine
Cover of America First magazine
Cover of America First magazine
Cover of America First magazine
Cover of America First magazine
Anti-Bolshevik cartoon
Anti-Bolshevik cartoon
Cover of America First magazine
Cover of America First magazine
America First Association parade float
America First Association parade float
America First Association button
America First Association button
Black and white photograph of Nonpartisan League meeting in Carver County, 1918.
Black and white photograph of Nonpartisan League meeting in Carver County, 1918.

Turning Point

The end of World War I requires the America First Association to find a new purpose. In January 1919, the organization redirects its efforts from supporting the war to opposing socialism.

Chronology

August 1914

War in Europe begins.

April 6, 1917

The United States declares war on Germany.

October 1917

A group of prominent men issue a call for all Minnesotans to attend a “loyalty meeting” in St. Paul. Delegates to this meeting are then selected in local conventions.

November 16, 1917

At a Northwest Loyalty meeting held in St. Paul, delegates form the America First Association (AFA).

November 11, 1918

An armistice ends the fighting in Europe.

January 1919

The AFA changes its main focus from fighting Prussianism to fighting socialism.

1919

Minnesota’s compulsory education law is amended to require the teaching of most subjects in English.