![]() Today’s problem is easier in important ways. But the experience of Higgins shipbuilding – and the hundreds of other firms that strove to pivot civilian manufacturing to military production – offer important lessons and cautions for today. Images of Ford auto factories turning out B-24 bombers inspire hopes that today’s war-like emergency can be met with a similar mobilization of American industrial might. Patriotism reached lofty heights along with the government propaganda.For many, the model is World War II, when American industry converted from civilian to military production on a scale that swamped Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. On the whole, the war was a unifying experience for Canadians as most of the population worked toward a common goal. Over five years, Canadas 11 million people raise $8.8 billion in war bonds. One poster pictured a mother embracing her soldier son with caption "Speed the Victory. Canadians were bombarded with posters and patriotic pleas to buy Victory bonds to help finance the war. The government also appealed to citizens for money. The NFB turned out hundreds of documentaries and short films with titles like The War at Sea, Canada Carries On and Wartime Controls. The National Film Board (NFB) was a particularly important government propaganda tool, used to educate citizens and encourage Canadians to support the war effort. Poster produced by the Canadian Wartime Information Board to promote Victory Bonds (used to finance government wartime spending) (National Archives of Canada, C-087518) ![]() But when the clerk mentioned flannelette was getting scarce, she bought the whole bolt. "Saboteur! It was Flannelette Granny was after, twelve yards for three nightshirts. One government ad tried to dissuade Canadians from hoarding. Official wartime communications took many forms ranging from government directives to colourful billboards and stirring documentaries. Hoarding was a crime punishable by up to two years in prison.īehind much of the homefront war effort was a well-organized government propaganda machine. To preserve cloth, the width of the lapels on mens suits and the length of ladies skirts were regulated. To preserve sugar, no icing was allowed on cakes - wedding cakes excepted. To preserve cardboard, milk bottle caps were banned. save and strain every drop to speed victory." "One pound of fat supplies enough glycerine to fire 150 bullets from a Bren gun. Poster produced by the Canadian Wartime Information Board to promote saving and recycling. Some women even managed the acrobatics required to draw a seam up the back of each leg."Ĭanadians were also exhorted and legislated to save and recycle. ![]() "I never once bought a pair of nylon stockings until 1945," remembered Gladys Arnold. ![]() Rationing became commonplace as Canadians learned to do without in order to provide more for the soldiers. Vincent, McRaie and Craigmyle, raised a steady trickle of money, adopted crews of corvette ships, and sent money and parcels of knitwear to the Halifax ports. In Alberta, three tiny communities, Therien. Children gathered bottles and cans to help the supply materials for factories. Women at home knit sweaters and tended small "Victory Gardens" to grow food for the war effort. The war effort consumed Canadian life from 1939 to 1945 and it became the style of the day and in some cases the law of the land to do whatever one could to support the war. One of many posters produced by the Canadian Wartime Information Board designed to promote wartime production, recruitment and fundraising during the Second World War. Canadians mobilize on the home front as the country goes to warĪs the Second World War raged overseas, Canadians mobilized for the war effort at home spurred on by patriotism and a good dose of government propaganda. ![]()
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