I was browsing Etsy the other day and came across some pretty sweet vintage wares from seller High Street Market. I stumbled across this vintage WWI poster, and you know I’ve been kind of a freak about American history lately.
I was curious about these liberty bonds so I did a little googling. During WWI, Americans were encouraged buy liberty bonds to finance the war. People often put fliers in their home and shop windows to show they had purchased the bonds.
Google also provided a link to lots more vintage posters.
According to Wikipedia, because I’m too lazy to do any actual research, the majority of sales were not to individuals but to banks that ignored the patriotic appeal and bought the bonds as an investment opportunity. The bond campaign is ultimately remembered more for its bullying than its patriotic nature.
I haven’t read too much about whether this campaign actually worked, but I can’t imagine many Americans had that much to give. The government sure knows how to pull on your patriotic heartstrings, doesn’t it?
Kimmy- ironic that you blogged about this so close to our engagement date… Josh used bonds given to him by his grandpa to buy my ring!
(or so I was told…)