Are you doing all you can?

Patriotism surged in America after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Volunteerism efforts not only boosted morale at home and abroad, but also provided necessary financial and manpower support for the war effort. This 1942 print, published by the General Cable Corporation, typifies the colorful, patriotic themed poster messages of the period encouraging each citizen to be involved.

Service on the home front

As America mobilized for war, men, women and children on the home front supported the war effort in numerous ways. This World War II poster, produced by the WPA (Works Progress Administration), makes an appeal to citizens of all ages to join civilian defense organizations like the Citizens Defense Corps, Citizens Service Corps and American Unity and to participate in community salvage programs and victory gardening efforts.

Americans! Share the meat

During wartime, rationing of food items on the home front became a necessity in order to ensure that the troops had enough to eat. Since large amounts of red meat were sent to feed both American and Allied troops, the government set limits on meat consumption by civilians. This 1942 poster issued by the Government printing office alerts consumers to basic individual limits, but also offers suggestions for items like liver, sweetbreads, poultry or fish that can be used to supplement the weekly allotment.

Liberty Loan Drive

Mobilizing a nation for war is an expensive undertaking. Citizens were encouraged to loan money to the government through the purchase of war bonds. This 1918 poster promoted the purchase of Liberty bonds during one of four World War I government initiated war bond drives. Fundraisers promoted bonds as a patriotic duty and even children participated by collecting change to buy war stamps.

Reach your boy overseas

In both world wars, letter writing was a popular means of improving the morale of troops overseas. During the latter years of World War II, V-mail became a popular and inexpensive way of communicating with loved ones. V-mail letter forms could be purchased inexpensively at stores or post offices. Completed forms were then photographed, put on film, flown overseas, reproduced at mail centers and delivered to the recipients. This 1942 poster produced by the Government Printing Office promotes the usage of V-mail as being reliable, fast and patriotic.

Our boys need sox

The American Red Cross is well known for its wartime support efforts. The Production Corps, one of its most popular volunteer units, was organized in 1916 to make surgical dressings and clothing for both war refugees and our own troops. “Comfort items” such as hand-knitted socks, sweaters, soap and razors were also requested for the men. Between 1917 and 1919, over 370 million relief articles were produced by adult and junior Red Cross Production Corps members. This World War I poster recruits volunteers to join a nationwide knitting campaign sponsored by the Red Cross to supply soldiers and civilians with warm clothing.

Air raid precautions

After Pearl Harbor was bombed, Americans became fearful of a possible attack on the United States mainland. Civilians volunteered to coordinate civil defense and home safety efforts in their local areas. Spotters studied aircraft silhouettes, blackout accessories were made available and air raid drills were practiced on a regular basis. This 1940’s WPA poster reminded citizens of the proper procedures to be followed during air raid drills.

The fruits of victory

Feeding overseas forces during World War I caused food shortages on the home front. In addition to rationing, the government encouraged families to plant war or “victory gardens” to supplement the nation’s food supply. The National War Garden Commission was created to help citizens learn how to plant gardens and conserve food by canning and drying. This 1918 poster features a patriotic image of a woman surrounded by home grown vegetables and canned goods and promotes a free book produced by the Commission. Victory gardens were also popular during World War II and in 1943, yielded a third of the total U.S. vegetable crop.

Women in the war

The focus of American industry in the 1940’s shifted from producing household goods to making tools to support the war effort. Factories and businesses couldn’t find enough male workers to keep operating around the clock, so women were enlisted to fill the gap. Children were left in government sponsored day care centers while their mothers joined assembly lines producing war related items. In an effort to sway negative public opinion about women working outside of the home, The War Manpower Commission created this 1942 patriotic poster promoting the importance of the role of women defense workers in the war effort.

Now all the world’s at peace

Popular sheet music can provide a glimpse into the social and cultural aspects of an historical period. Hundreds of patriotic and political songs have been composed during war times. Studying their lyrics, music and illustrations can offer a unique view into the lives and emotions of soldiers and their loved ones on the home front. Both the words and images of this 1918 International Peace Song reflect the joy and relief felt throughout the world at the end of World War I.