<P> When the war began, overt examples of German culture came under attack . Many churches cut back or ended their German language services . German parochial schools switched to the use of English in the classroom . Courses in German were dropped from public high school curricula . Some street names were changed . One person was killed by a mob at a tavern in a southern Illinois mining town . </P> <P> Elaborate propaganda campaigns were launched to encourage Americans to buy Liberty bonds . In ethnic centers, ethnic groups were pitted against each other so that groups were encouraged to purchase more bonds compared to their historic rivals in order to demonstrate superior patriotism . </P> <P> The Central Powers carried out a number of acts of sabotage and a single submarine attack against the mainland of the USA during the war, but never staged an invasion of the country, although there were rumors that German advisers were present at the Battle of Ambos Nogales . </P> <P> Numerous rumors of German plans for sabotage alarmed Americans . After midnight on July 30, 1916, a series of small fires were found on a pier in Jersey City, New Jersey . Sabotage was suspected and some guards fled, fearing an explosion; others attempted to fight the fires . Eventually they called the Jersey City Fire Department . An explosion occurred at 2: 08 a.m., the first and biggest of the explosions . Shrapnel from the explosion traveled long distances, some lodging in the Statue of Liberty and other places . Seven people died . </P>

How did america's entry into ww2 affect the reform movement