Summary
Alternative Name(s): Button
World War I-era badge inscribed 'I Will Not Buy German Goods', with kangaroo and shield-shaped Union Jack motifs.
The badge was one of a large number of similar badges printed at the time. In 1915 members of the House of Representatives pledged that they would 'never again would they purchase goods of German origin'; the media noted that a million badges had been sold bearing the words 'I will not buy German goods'.
The anti-German movement was in part driven by the Patriots League, an organisation of people of British birth or descent who were keen to distinguish themselves from 'disloyalists and shirkers'. They raised money for the war effort and spoke in favour of conscription. The League exhorted all Australians to sign the pledge: 'Believing that when the Great War is over Germany will try to re-establish her commercial power and prepare for future slaughter, and being convinced that it is my duty to support the industries of my own country, empire, and friendly nations, I hereby swear to the best of my knowledge and power, 'never again will I buy German goods or have any dealings with people who try to sell them.'
Physical Description
Circular badge, metal, with colour-printed front covered with clear polymer. Features a brown kangaroo on top of a shield-shaped Union Jack. Inscription around outside. Reverse is tarnished to mid-grey. A bent pin is looped through one hole; a corresponding hole allows the pin to be fastened.
Significance
Statement of Significance
The badge provides an important example of anti-German material culture during World War I. It was probably one of a large number of similar badges printed at the time, indicated by the article 'I Will Not Buy German Goods' in the Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times on 14 September 1915 (and the Melbourne Leader on 18 September), which reported that Members of the House of Representatives pledged that they would 'never again would they purchase goods of German origin'. It was noted that a million badges had been sold bearing the words 'I will not buy German goods'. The Patriots League was an organisation of people of British birth or descent who were keen to distinguish themselves from 'disloyalists and shirkers'. They raised money for the war effort and spoke in favour of conscription. The League exhorted all Australians to sign the pledge: 'Believing that when the Great War is over Germany will try to re-establish her commercial power and prepare for future slaughter, and being convinced that it is my duty to support the industries of my own country, empire, and friendly nations, I hereby swear to the best of my knowledge and power, 'never again will I buy German goods or have any dealings with people who try to sell them.'
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Date made
Australia, circa 1915
The badge is likely to have been made in Australia, as it was reported in 1915 that a million badges had been sold in Australia bearing the words 'I will not buy German goods' (refer Statement of Significance). -
Inscriptions
Around edge, printed: 'I WILL NOT BUY GERMAN GOODS'.
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
3 mm (Height), 33 mm (Circumference)
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References
Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times, 14 September 1915 Melbourne Leader, 18 September 1915
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Keywords
World War I, 1914-1918, Manufactured Products, Commerce, Retailing, Badges, Patriotic Badges, Patriotism, Conscription