Artifact #3: Buy 1918 Victory Bonds Poster
Citation:
Unknown Artist, Keep All Canadians Busy, Buy 1918 Victory Bonds. 1918. Lithograph on Vellum Paper. Canada. Reference Box number: A151/X1.
Label:
The government created Victory Bond posters in the hope that it would encourage citizens to support the war efforts financially. Victory Bonds were loans to the government that could be redeemed with interest after your choice of 5, 10, or 20 years. They were released through 5 different campaigns between 1915 and 1919. In 1915 a hundred million dollars worth of victory bonds were issued and quickly purchased. Purchasing victory bonds allowed citizens not on the front lines to directly contribute to our nation’s success in the war. The government used the money from victory bonds to support their military expenditures and help the nation recover in the post-war era. The phrase “Keep All Canadians Busy” encouraged every Canadian citizen to play an active role. The government framed it as a patriotic act where those unable to serve still played an active role. The five-year campaign of Victory Bonds played a strong role in shaping Canada's identity. The Victory Bond campaign's success shows Canadians' collective support nationwide.
Bibliography:
https://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/explore/online/posters/bonds.aspx