Whose public opinion is it anyway?
"I warn you-don't talk patriotism over here unless your money is talking victory Over There" -From I Am Public Opinion
What's frightening about this statement is that not only does it's messages promote a sense of being unpatriotic for those whom may not have had the financial ability to purchase US Bond, but that the ad comes courtesy of the United States Treasury. In this ad, the government uses the tactic of shame to say if you don't support this war and it's troops but purchasing these United States Bond, than you can not really say you support this country or those who are defending it. What's worst is that the ad claims that these notions are "Public Opinion" making them the be all and end all. But whose public opinion is this anyway? I'm just wondering because I would assume that during this time, majority of the public during this time couldn't afford these bonds.
posted by Alysha at 11:08 PM
3 Comments:
I firmly agree with your statements because not everyone could afford the bonds. That did not necessarily mean you were not patriotic. Just the ability that the CPI had to state these messages is astounding. These ads are very interesting to see and am sure they had much power to sway the American peoples opinion on the war efforts.
Thanks Shelly!!!!
It is hard to say how many Americans could afford bonds, and it is certainly unfortunate to associate wealth with patriotism. War certificates sold for as little as about $4 in 1918.
On the other hand, didn't the government need to sell bonds to fund the war? They used all sorts of appeals to try to persuade Americans to buy bonds. And the middle class and the elite bought thousands. Much of the propaganda of the CPI was addressed to a middle class audience.
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