Heed their call with war bonds
Maker
C C Beall
Datec 1944
Object number00009076
NamePoster
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 355 x 277 mm
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionA merchant mariner is helping a wounded man inside a rubber raft on this poster, which aims to promote the sale of war bonds. During the war campaign the purchase of bonds was prolific and Americans invested a total US$185 billion by the end of the conflict.HistoryBetween 1941 and 1946 the War Finance Committee was responsible for raising money for the American war effort through a series of loan drives. In total over US$185 billion of securities were sold and America had the most people of any country contribute to the scheme.
The sale of war bonds provided a way in which patriotic attitudes and the spirit of sacrifice could be expressed. Bonds became the primary method through which those on the home-front contributed to national defense 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 excess money from circulation.
SignificanceThis is a good example of how posters used tragic scenes to persuade people to buy war bonds. This poster was made during the later stages of the war when graphic images were more commonly used.
