Pre-war
1914
Outbreak of the war
1915
1916
1917
1918
End of the war
Post-war
“I gave gold for iron” ring

Copyright: Sammlung Frauennachlässe, Institut für Geschichte der Universität Wien/Fotografie: Angelika Spangel
Partner: Sammlung Frauennachlässe, Institut für Geschichte der Universität Wien

Object

Mobilisation of the civilian population

During the "Gold for Iron” campaign, gold rings or jewellery donated to finance the war were exchanged for iron rings. The civilian population was called upon to play an active role in welfare and aid associations and to offer its services for the fatherland. Women and children collected clothes and blankets for the army and hospitals, and materials like wastepaper and iron for recycling. They knitted and sewed, and these "Liebesgaben” or charitable gifts were sent to the front to provide emotional encouragement to the troops.