Thanksgiving Over There - Between the Wars

BETWEEN THE WARS

After World War I, the country turned its back on Wilson’s "internationalism" and tried to avoid political entanglements in the wider world. The United States continued, however, to be involved in significant commercial interests overseas.

American entrepreneurs continued to pursue their business interests (on occasion, with military support) in the Pacific, and in Central and South America.

The number of American military personnel,, which had reached a peak of 2,396,000 in 1918, generally hovered around 137,000 throughout the more peaceful 1920s and 1930s. This smaller military force developed a special camaraderie during the 1920s and 1930s. A "family" feeling was promoted by military Thanksgiving celebrations with abundant food and festive printed souvenir menus.