Forensic Research Archive of Manipulation and Exploitation
A Message from His Excellency the Governor General of Canada, 1943 Canada poster: A typed, signed vice-regal letter dated 9

A Message from His Excellency the Governor General of Canada

A typed, signed vice-regal letter dated 9 December 1943 is reproduced on a navy-blue sheet under a maple leaf, thanking war-factory workers and urging that efforts be redoubled. Its abstract phrases, 'the downfall of all aggressors and the preservation of our liberties', are the glittering generalities, and the Governor General's office lends the request authority.

Propaganda techniques used in this poster

Glittering generalities
Date
1943
Period
Second World War
Made by
Department of Munitions and Supply for Canada; message signed by the Earl of Athlone, Governor General
Region
North America
Country
Canada
Medium
Poster
Issuer type
State
Regime
Mackenzie King Government
Leader
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Audience
Domestic public
Purpose
Mobilize or secure compliance
Themes
War and the military, Labor, Home front
Event
World War II
Source
Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
Source
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Foreign Posters, retrieved October 3, 2026
Rights
Public domain (Canadian Crown copyright, 50 years from publication, expired; no URAA restoration)
Department of Munitions and Supply for Canada; message of the Governor General, 9 December 1943. U.S. National Archives, World War II Foreign Posters (NAID 44267487).

Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

A MESSAGE FROM
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL
OF CANADA

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
OTTAWA.

9th December, 1943.

I send my best wishes for Christmas and the
New Year to all the men and women working in our Canadian
war factories.

The results of their past efforts are now becoming
clear as the offensive against our enemies mounts in
intensity. Now is the time when all our efforts must be
redoubled, for the climax of the war is approaching, and
we must see that our sailors and soldiers and airmen are
abundantly supplied with all the equipment of war to enable
them to deliver shattering blows against the foe.

I am confident that our factory workers will play
their vitally important part in the great struggle that lies
before us and so contribute towards the downfall of all
aggressors and the preservation of our liberties.

[signature]

This message is issued by the Department of Munitions and Supply for Canada

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