ProvenanceBadge produced to raise funds for the war effort during World War I.
Fundraising badges, such as this one, were sold to show and encourage patriotic support for the war effort.
President Woodrow Wilson was the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross from 1914-1917. He encouraged his citizens to support the Red Cross and the young men in Europe. In 1917 he led America to join the Allies in WWI. It is was in this year that he appointed a War Council to direct the Red Cross in order to better handle the speed at which the organisation was growing. From 1917, the year the US forces joined the war, the American Red Cross provided the Home Service, the Production Corps, a Camp Service, Canteen Service, Hospital Service, Hospital and Recreation Corps and a Motor Service. Woodrow Wilson was American President from 1913-1921.SignificanceIllustrative of the badges that were popular as a means of raising funds or showing support for particular organisations or causes during World War I. This and other associated badges are a rich source of evidence on the material and cultural history of Australia, particularly during wartime. The symbols, colours and mottoes used on the badges themselves also express ideas about the values and identity that Australians held in the early to mid-twentieth century.DescriptionCircular badge: printed paper between tin base and celluloid cover. Gold rim, centre features black and white photogrph of President Wilson, marked 'President of the American Red Cross'.Creator (person)Creator (organisation)AcknowledgementDate of Creation1914 - 1918Date of Usage1914 - 1918MaterialTin
|paper
|celluloid Accession NumberHT 1986.0015
