All About Liberty Bonds
An all-text poster in a red and blue border answers six questions (what, why, how, where and when to buy Liberty Bonds) with payment dates, coupon values and the claim that the bonds are 'as safe as the United States'. It closes by contrasting soldiers who 'give their lives' with civilians asked only to 'lend your money'. It presents only the favourable terms and the moral contrast.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1917
- Period
- First World War
- Made by
- U.S. Treasury Department (First Liberty Loan)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- State
- Regime
- Wilson Administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Fundraise
- Themes
- Economy and finance, Home front, War and the military
- Event
- World War I
- Regime
- Wilson administration
- Leader
- Woodrow Wilson
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives (NARA), RG 4 (U.S. Food Administration), World War I Posters (NAID 512439), retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- NARA Unrestricted; hosted by owner decision
U.S. Treasury Department (First Liberty Loan). National Archives and Records Administration, 4-P-234.
Text on the object
ALL ABOUT LIBERTY BONDS WHAT Are They? Liberty Bonds are engraved certificates bearing the guarantee of the Government and People of the United States to repay in gold the full amount loaned, with interest. Liberty Bonds are as safe as the United States. WHY Should I Buy Them? Because we are at war. Because we must have dollars as well as men in the fight for freedom. Because they are the safest investment in the world today. Each $100 bond has 60 coupons attached. You can cut off one of these every six months and get $1.75 in cash at any bank, without expense. HOW Can I Buy Them? For each $50 subscribed pay: $1 down $9 on June 28, 1917 $10 on July 30, 1917 $15 on August 15, 1917 $15 on August 30, 1917 Pay in cash if you prefer. You don't need a bank account to buy a Liberty Bond. WHERE Can I Buy Them? At any Bank, Trust Company, Bond House, Post Office, Department Store, Express Company, etc. Every dollar you pay goes to the Government. No commissions are charged to you or paid to anyone. WHEN Shall I Buy Them? Buy them NOW. Subscriptions close June 15, 1917. Our soldiers and sailors will give their lives. You are asked only to lend your money. If you can't fight, your money can. A bond may save a life. A bond will help to end the war. Buy Your Bonds Today
In the printed poster the words 'give', 'lend' and 'you' are underlined; layout is two columns (question left, answer right).
