If you look at the history the preferred way for the US government (and others) to raise lots of money in times of crisis was through "war bonds" (named "Libert

If you look at the history the preferred way for the US government (and others) to raise lots of money in times of crisis was through "war bonds" (named "Liberty Bonds" in the US during WWI). Back then the government financed itself by encouraging people to safe more and invest that money into such bonds. Your scenario has definitely played out in other countries - for example by forcing banks to invest the money in saving accounts into government bonds.