The United States Food Administration During World War I: The Rise of Activist Government Through Food Control During Mobilization for Total War

Abstract

Although the United States Food Administration officially existed for less than twenty-four months, it left an ineffaceable mark on the economic, political, and social fabric of the nation. The unprecedented powers contained in the Food Control Act resulted in absolute control of major facets of the food production and distribution system. As Food Administrator, Herbert Hoover played a central role in the consequent transformation of a significant portion of the national economy from a free-market based system to one dominated by the federal government.