Bonds build ships! Buy more bonds
Maker
George Picken
Date1943
Object number00017801
NamePoster
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 399 x 279 mm, 0.011 kg
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection
Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThis poster shows the construction of a navy ship built by funds from war bonds. Buying bonds was a major way those on the home front could contribute to the war campaign and this is one of many posters produced by the government. The war bonds campaign was very succesful and Americans invested more money than any other country.HistoryBetween 1941 and 1946 the War Finance Committee raised money for the American war effort through a series of loan drives. Over US$185 billion of securities were sold. By the end of World War II over 85 million Americans had invested in war bonds.
The sale of war bonds provided a way for people to express patriotic attitudes and the spirit of sacrifice. Bonds were the primary method for those on the home front to contribute to national defence and the war effort. Although initially the goal of the bond drives was to finance the war, their greatest accomplishment was the positive impact they had on the morale of home front Americans.
For the Government, war bond drives had the added benefit of lowering inflation. With more people employed in manufacturing and war-related industries there was an increase in individual income at a time when domestic products were being rationed. Patriotic saving through the purchase of war bonds removed this excess money from circulation.
SignificanceThis example represents a variety of posters produced by the American government to encourage the purchase of war bonds.
