WWII Savings Bonds Resource List
War savings bonds were vouchers purchased by U.S. citizens in order to generate money that would be used to fund the war effort. After a period of time, hopefully when the war was over, the bonds would be worth more than they were paid for and those who held bonds could cash them in. The U.S. government stirred the emotions of people whose relatives were serving oversees by calling on them to exhibit their patriotism, pride, and love for their family and friends. War bonds served to keep the U.S.A. fighting by enduring as an essential source of government money and a crucial morale booster.
The government had funds to fight the war, but to ensure that money would be available to provide top-quality supplies to troops, the U.S. government issued war bonds. These bonds came in different denominations, the lowest being $18.75. In ten years, an $18.75 bond would be worth $25 and bond-holders could redeem the money. If $18.75 was too high of a price, individuals could buy 10 cent stamps until they reached the price of bond and then they could buy one. These war defense bonds were known as Series E bonds. Buying bonds was a way for people to feel involved in the war and campaign for democracy.
The way war bonds were advertised in newspapers, on the radio, during scrap drives, and on posters compelled people to buy based on what they considered to be a moral obligation. "Buy a share of victory" would be a familiar phrase to men, women, and children on America's home-front during WWII. The slogans "You buy 'em, we'll fly 'em" and "Back 'em up" on patriotic posters across the United States pressured Americans to help the war effort. The government and even private companies appealed to the American desire to win the war and see family and friends come home. In this way war bonds acted as a patriotic investment that everyone could participate in.
Resources
- The Role of War Bonds - This article talks about the impact of war bonds today. The history of the bonds is addressed as well as how they affect inflation.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia - This resource gives a short account of the Canadian equivalent of war bonds. Other countries had war bonds too, like the U.S., they needed more income to pay for the war.
- WWII Posters - Patriotic posters were a very important way of selling the idea of war bonds. This resource has many examples of posters from WWII.
- American Historical Society - This resource has uploaded copies of war stamp books. For those who haven't seen war bond books or some advertisements for them, this is an excellent site.
- U.S. War Bonds - This article is a great resource for the history of war bonds as well as the many ways that they were advertised. The government had to be creative and convincing to sell war bonds.
- Life on the Home-Front - This article explains Oregon's efforts to sell bonds. The strategies used, however, may be applied to across the U.S.
- Four Freedoms - This site is a great place to find posters from WWII. They range in themes and include ones urging people to buy bonds.
- Women at War - Along with buying war bonds, women could feel involved in the war effort by taking the jobs that many soldiers used to have. They worked in factories, in hospitals, and in offices.
- WWII Home-Front - This resource describes how the government used movies to lift American spirits and urge them to buy war bonds. These short movies would be played before a feature film at a movie theatre.
- National WWII Museum - This article explains different ways that people on the home-front were involved in the war effort. Buying war bonds was one way but so was donating rubber and metal items and growing food in home gardens.
- Nebraska History - This pamphlet from Nebraska is also a great resource for information about home-front life. Americans were mostly very willing to help the war effort because there was social pressure.
- U.S. Treasury - This resource describes what war savings bonds are. Specifically it explains the history of Series E bonds from WWII.
- War Production - This article talks about war production. Without the money from savings bonds the government could not have produced the weapons, planes, and ships needed to successfully fight the war.
- War Loans and Bonds - This article describes the advertising campaigns that the government used to sell bonds. It is also a wonderful source for posters made by private companies encouraging people to buy war bonds.
- The American Economy During WWII - This resource gives a very deep look at the economy during WWII. It also breaks down federal and military spending during that period.