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Uncle Sam is a . However, counter-arguments to this theory have been raised by some (for example, see Cecil Adams' article at The Straight Dope ), so the precise origin of the term may never be proven.

Most earlier representative figures of the United States such as " Brother Jonathan " were overtaken by Uncle Sam somewhere around the time of the Civil War . The female personification " Columbia " has seldom been seen since the 1920s . Uncle Sam was first used in a political cartoon, drawn by the famous Thomas Nast . After the American Civil War , whiskers were added to Uncle Sam in reference to Abraham Lincoln . Today, with the possible exception of the Statue Of Liberty , the character of Uncle Sam is probably the most easily recognizable personification of the U.S.


I WANT YOU FOR THE ARMY

During World War I a very famous recruitment poster depicted Uncle Sam pointing at the viewer with the words "I WANT YOU". The artist James Montgomery Flagg , who painted the poster in 1917 , used a modified version of his own face for Uncle Sam. {Link without Title} Veteran Walter Botts posed for the drawing that became Uncle Sam.

The poster was based on a similar World War I poster issued in the United Kingdom , picturing Lord Kitchener in a similar pose. Flagg's poster was revived and reprinted for recruitment during World War II .

The poster uses an artistic trick known since s are drawn exactly centered in the eyes of a portrait, this gives an impression that the portrait "looks back" at the viewer wherever the viewer stands.

The poster has been repeatedly imitated and parodied, with many different variations on the simple slogan. An imitation of note (and arguably of comparable fame) is a Red Army recruitment poster "Did You Volunteer?"


OTHER MEDIA


In addition to the appearance of Uncle Sam in politics, the character has also appeared as a comic book hero for both Charlton and DC Comics . He is presented as the living embodiment of the United States and is the leader of the Freedom Fighters. See Uncle Sam (comics) . There was also a short cartoon in the 1980s called "Uncle Sam's Adventures."

Furthermore, Uncle Sam appeared as a horror villain in the eponymously titled 1997 film, "Uncle Sam". In this film, several pseudo-patriotic elements are used, including Sam attacking people with " Friendly Fire " and eventually dying from two cannon blasts.


SEE ALSO



REFERENCES


Popular works

  • Fenster, Bob (2003), ''They Did What!?'', Andrews McMeel Publishing. (ISBN 0740737937)



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