The bulk of this collection documents the activities of the State Council of Defense.

Pursuant to an Act of the General Assembly (No. 195), approved August 21, 1917, the Georgia Council of Defense was created “for the co-operation of this State with the National Council of Defense, created by Act of Congress, approved August 29, 1916”. The purpose of the National Council was to investigate and make recommendations to the President regarding the efficient and effective transportation of troops and supplies to points of defense upon the nation’s railroads, highways, and waterways, as well as increase domestic production of goods necessary for the support of the nation’s army. The State Council was created to identify such resources within the State of Georgia, but also to protect the citizens of the State from “wrongful and unwarranted speculations,...that may be resorted to for the purpose of forcing the consumer to pay unjust, unreasonable, unfair and extortionate prices for the necessaries of life….”

According the Act of the General Assembly, the Council was to be composed of sixteen members “of whom five shall be ex-officio members, to-wit: the Governor, the Commissioner of Commerce and Labor, the State Superintendent of Schools, the Commissioner of Agriculture and the Adjutant-General. The remaining eleven members shall be appointed by the Governor as follows:

• 1. One representative of the manufacturing interests of the State.

• 2. One representative of labor.

• 3. One representative of the farmers.

• 4. Two women to co-ordinate all women's activities contemplated by this Act that they may be utilized to the best advantage in conjunction with the other efforts of Georgia in behalf of State welfare and national defense.

• 5. A minister of the gospel.

• 6. A physician who shall represent the medical profession.

• 7. One representative of the bankers.

• 8. One representative of the railroads.

• 9. One representative engineer.

• 10. One citizen of Georgia who shall represent the commercial interests of the State.

The Georgia Archives has a series of records entitled “Misc. WWI Records” (22-1-14) in which the activities of these council members and the home-front activities of the citizens of the State of Georgia can be seen. Approximately 14 cu. ft. of material includes the work of committees such as the Woman’s Committee, the Liberty Loan Committee, and the Historical Committee (headed by Lucian Lamar Knight). Also included are documents pertaining to Agriculture, Citizenship, Public Health, and other topics. Of particular interest are specific activities of youth to support the war effort like the Georgia Kill the Rat Campaign, the School Garden Army, and the collection of fruit pits and nut shells. Also of note are the Farm Furlough requests of soldiers to return to their homes in the summer of 1918 and the work of the Council to compile a comprehensive list of enlisted and inducted men and women, including casualties and deserters.