Financing World War One
Advertising War Savings Stamps in the Sherburne County Star News , 1918 Paying for war is often a challenge for the United States government. In the 1800s, financing war meant the government borrowed money from rich financiers. Only with World War One did the United States government appeal to the general public for aid in paying for war. The Liberty Bonds sales appeared to be very successful and often viewed as patriotic tests. In Sherburne County, local leaders actively promoted the bond subscription drives and claimed significant success. The government created four Liberty Bond programs in 1917 and 1918. In 1919 the government also issued a fifth Victory Liberty Loan bond. In total, Liberty Bonds raised $21.5 billion for the war effort. With each bond program, Sherburne County received a quota of funding the county must raise. The first Liberty Bond quota called for $130,000 from county patriots. The Sherburne County...