During times of war, a war bond is a debt instrument issued by the government as a means of borrowing money to fund defense programs and military endeavors. A war bond is simply a government loan. The War Finance Committee oversaw the sale of war bonds in the United States. War bonds were first issued as Liberty Bonds in 1917 to fund the United States government’s participation in World War I. They were originally known as Defense Bonds. The government raised $21.5 billion dollars for its war operations by selling these bonds.
What were the terms for WW1 bonds?
A Liberty bond (or liberty loan) was a World War I war bond marketed in the United States to support the Allies. Subscribing to the bonds became a sign of patriotism in the United States, and many Americans were introduced to the concept of financial instruments for the first time.
In a battle, what are bonds?
During World War II, the US government spent $300 billion, or more than $4 trillion in today’s money. The majority of the funds had to be borrowed. The government issued savings bonds to fund the war. A savings bond is a mechanism for an American citizen to invest money by leasing it to the government; after a set length of time, the bond can be redeemed, or cashed in, with interest. Savings bonds sold to pay for the war were dubbed “war bonds” by the public.
War bonds had been sold to fund the United States’ participation in World War I, but World War II necessitated the government to borrow unprecedented sums of money. During the war, 85 million Americans bought bonds for a total of more than $180 billion. Children took part by purchasing little denomination stamps. “Bond drives” were organized by school and community groups. At rallies to sell bonds, celebrities appeared, and even record labels displayed reminders to buy war stamps and bonds.
Savings bonds also contributed to the war effort in another way. Because everyone was working now, everyone had money to spend, which was something that many people didn’t have during the Depression. However, supplies were scarce. Prices could have soared if people had battled for scarce items. The government kept inflation low during the war by convincing Americans that it was their patriotic duty to buy war bonds.
In WWI, how much did war bonds cost?
In drafting the bond program’s goals, Henry Morgenthau Jr. enlisted the help of Peter Odegard, a political scientist who specialized in propaganda. Treasury began promoting the previously successful baby bonds as “defense bonds” on Odegard’s advice. Three new series of bond notes, Series E, F, and G, would be created, with Series E serving as “defense bonds” for individuals. They were sold for as little as $18.75 and matured in ten years, at which point the bondholder received a $25 payment from the US government. Large amounts of $50 to $1000 were also made available, all of which were non-negotiable bonds, unlike the Liberty Bonds of the First World War. If buying an entire bond at once was too onerous, 10-cent savings stamps could be purchased and saved in Treasury-approved stamp albums until the receiver had amassed enough stamps to buy a bond. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which prompted the United States to enter the war, the bonds’ name was changed to War Bonds.
The War Finance Committee was tasked with overseeing the sale of all bonds, while the War Advertising Council encouraged voluntary bond purchases. Any Bonds Today?, a 1942 Warner Bros. theatrical cartoon, was one example of popular modern art used to advertise the bonds. During the first three years of the National Defense Savings Program, more than a quarter of a billion dollars in advertising was contributed. The government used popular culture to reach out to the population. The Four Freedoms painting series by Norman Rockwell was toured as part of a $132 million war bond campaign. Bond rallies with well-known celebrities, mainly Hollywood movie stars, were staged around the country to boost bond advertising effectiveness. Many movies at the time, particularly war dramas (which were themselves propaganda), featured a graphic during the closing credits urging viewers to “Buy War Bonds and Stamps,” which were sometimes sold in the theater lobby. The Music Publishers Protective Association pushed its members to incorporate patriotic statements like “Buy U.S. Bonds and Stamps” on the front of their sheet music. Approximately $185 billion in bonds were acquired by 85 million Americans during the duration of the war.
A 1945 Paramount film encouraged bond sales following World War II, and was named after the 1942 Hollywood Victory Caravan. Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Alan Ladd, William Demarest, Franlin Pangborn, Barbara Stanwyck, Humphrey Bogart, and others were among those featured in the short film.
During World War II, the National Service Board for Religious Objectors sold civilian bonds in the United States, primarily to members of historic peace churches, as an alternative for people who couldn’t buy something that supported the war. These were regular US government bonds, not defense bonds. In total, 33,006 subscriptions worth $6.74 million were sold, largely to Mennonites, Brethren, and Quakers.
What were Liberty Bonds used for during WWI?
Americans essentially gave the government money to help pay for the costs of wartime military operations under this program. Those who invested in these bonds would get their money back, plus interest, after a predetermined number of years. The government issued these bonds as part of the “Liberty Loan” program, which was a collaboration between the US Treasury and the Federal Reserve System, which had been established just three years prior, in 1914.
Are there any war bonds left?
While war bonds are no longer available for purchase, old bonds issued by the US government to fund the country’s participation in conflicts may still be worth something today. The value of your war bond is determined by several criteria, including the series type, denomination, and issue date.
If you’ve recently unearthed these types of bonds that you purchased years ago, we can help you determine whether you can cash them in and how much value they still have.
When did WWII war bonds first appear?
Defense Bonds were originally issued on May 1, 1941, and after the United States entered the war in December 1941, they were renamed War Bonds. Bonds were sold in values ranging from $25 to $1000, with the goal of making them accessible to the general public. Stamps could be purchased for ten cents and placed in special albums. The albums were redeemed for a bond when they were completely filled. Children were particularly fond of war stamps.
What role did war bonds play during WWII?
When full employment collided with rationing during World War II, war bonds were considered as a mechanism to remove money from circulation while also reducing inflation.
They were originally known as Defense Bonds and were issued by the United States government.
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the name was changed to War Bonds.
The bonds, known as debt instruments, were issued to fund military operations during wartime and yielded only 2.9 percent after a 10-year maturity.
During World War II, living in the United States on a median income meant earning around $2,000 per year.
Despite the difficulties of the war, 134 million Americans were invited to buy war bonds to help pay it.
Stamps, which start at ten cents each, can also be purchased to contribute to the bond.
Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau sold President Franklin D. Roosevelt the first Series ‘E’ US Savings Bond.
The bonds were sold for 75% of their face value in denominations ranging from $25 to $10,000, with some restrictions.
The war bonds were essentially a loan to the government to aid in the financing of the war effort.
The War Finance Committee was in charge of overseeing the sale of all bonds, while the War Advertising Council encouraged people to acquire bonds voluntarily.
The combined efforts of the two groups resulted in the most advertising ever created in the United States.
The public was constantly exhorted to acquire bonds in the sake of defending American liberty and democracy, as well as as safe havens for investment.
Advertising was used to make an emotional appeal to the population.
Despite the fact that the bonds paid a lower rate of return than the market, they constituted a moral and financial investment in the war effort.
The commercials began on the radio and in newspapers, and then expanded to include magazines in order to reach a wider audience.
The bond campaign was unique in that commercials were made by both the government and private enterprises.
Those that donated advertising space believed they were contributing even more to the war effort; others created their own war bond advertisements to show their patriotism.
To improve its appeal to Americans, the government enlisted the help of New York’s greatest advertising agencies, well-known entertainers, and even recognizable comic strip characters.
The New York Stock Exchange advised buyers not to cash in their bonds in their marketing.
During the first three years of the National Defense Savings Program, more than a quarter of a billion dollars in advertising was contributed.
Massive advertising campaigns made advantage of every available medium, and the campaign was a big success.
The word traveled swiftly; within only one month, polls showed that 90% of individuals polled were aware of war bonds.
Bonds became the ideal way for citizens at home to contribute to the nation’s defense.
To boost the advertising’s impact, Bond rallies were hosted across the country with well-known celebrities, generally Hollywood movie stars.
Free movie days were conducted in theaters across the country, with the purchase of a bond serving as entry.
Greer Garson, Bette Davis, and Rita Hayworth, among others, undertook seven tours in more than 300 cities and villages to support war bonds.
The “Stars Over America” bond blitz, which included 337 celebrities, exceeded its quota and collected $838,540,000 in bonds.
One promotional cardboard featured 75 quarter slots, totaling $18.75.
When it was full, it could be returned to the post office for a $25 war bond with a 10-year maturity.
With their own advertisements, local clubs, organizations, movie theaters, and hotels contributed as well.
Then there was the Civilian D-Day on June 6th, 1944, when tens of thousands of advertisements were dropped from the sky over Chicago in an attempt to catch the attention and hearts of potential donors.
Girl Scouts got engaged as well, with each scout providing one stamp.
These stamps, which cost 10 cents each, were then exchanged for war bonds through a nationwide organization.
In 1941, Norman Rockwell designed a series of pictures that became the focal point of war bond marketing. The Saturday Evening Post reprinted and distributed them, much to the delight of the public. While Norman Rockwell was the most well-known war bond artist, Irving Berlin was the most well-known composer. He wrote a song called “Any Bonds Today?” that became the theme song for the Treasury Department’s National Defense Savings Program. He is best known for his song “God Bless America.” The Andrew Sisters were one of the most well-known performers of this classic song.
A 16-hour marathon radio broadcast on CBS, during which approximately $40 million in bonds were sold, was one of the most successful single events.
Kate Smith, known for her rendition of “God Bless America,” performed during the marathon.
Purchases of war bonds could demonstrate patriotism and the spirit of sacrifice.
The war bond endeavor drew in millions of people.
The sports world contributed as well, with special football and baseball games featuring a war bond as the ticket fee.
The New York Yankees, New York Giants, and Brooklyn Dodgers played an odd baseball game in New York City.
In the same nine-inning contest, each side came to bat six times.
The Dodgers won 5 to 1 against the Yankees and 0 to 0 against the Giants, giving the US government $56,500,000 in war bond sales.
The last earnings from the Victory War Bond campaign were transferred into the US Treasury on January 3, 1946, at the end of World War II.
More than 85 million Americans, or half the population, bought $185.7 billion in bonds.
Those astounding achievements, thanks to mass selling initiatives that helped fund the war, have never been equaled since.
The Series E bond was phased out on June 30, 1980, and the Series EE bond took its place, making the War Bond a thing of the past.
What are the current values of WWII war bonds?
The United States Treasury’s savings bond website includes a fantastic, user-friendly “Savings Bond Calculator” that will determine the value of your bonds for you. It will value U.S. Treasury E, EE, and I bonds, as well as savings notes.
If your bonds are Series E bonds, which were used to fund World War II, the calculator estimates that they are worth at least $3,600 each, for a total of more than $43,000 USD.
You don’t say how you got them, but before you start licking your chops, consider the tax implications of redeeming these bonds.