The image of Uncle Sam is based on a combination of two earlier American characters: Yankee Doodle and Brother Jonathan. Yankee Putter was a derogatory term the British used for colonial Americans during the Revolutionary War. Brother Jonathan was a heroic character often featured in American folk tales and cartoons.

Though the origins of the name Uncle Sam are field of study to some dispute, most historians believe that the proper name came from a New York merchant named Sam Wilson, known by his friends as "Uncle Sam." Wilson supplied beef to American troops during the War of 1812. The barrels were stamped with the initials U.Southward., for Usa, but many associated the initials with "Uncle Sam" Wilson. Over fourth dimension, Uncle Sam became a synonym for U.s.a..

Illustrations of Uncle Sam, typically with long, white hair and a white beard, dressed in top chapeau and a tail coat, began appearing shortly after the State of war of 1812. British cartoonists from Dial magazine were the showtime to fully develop the paradigm of Uncle Sam as a alpine, bearded, sparse figure. American cartoonist Thomas Nast cemented the paradigm of Uncle Sam in his own drawings during the 1870s.

By the early 1900s, Uncle Sam had become known worldwide as a symbol for the United States. 1 of the most famous depictions of Uncle Sam during this period was created by artist James Montgomery Flagg for a U.Due south. Army recruiting poster during World War I. The U.South. government printed millions of these posters during World State of war I and used the image over again during World War 2. The symbol of Uncle Sam is all the same in widespread utilize both in the United States and around the earth. Most depictions today closely resemble Flagg's famous illustration.

Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam has been a long standing symbol of American patriotism. His epitome has been used by the United States authorities in a number of dissimilar ways, from stamps and military recruiting posters to magazines and paper cartoons.

cement

Verb

to secure equally solid.

delineation

Noun

representation of something, by cartoon or in words

derogatory

Adjective

insulting or mean.

dispute

Substantive

debate or statement.

illustration

Noun

motion-picture show or drawing

resemble

Verb

to expect like.

symbol

Noun

something used to represent something else.

Substantive

personification, or symbol, of the United States.

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    Director

    Tyson Brown, National Geographic Gild

    Author

    National Geographic Club

    Production Director

    Gina Borgia, National Geographic Lodge

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    Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Club
    Margot Willis, National Geographic Society

    Specialist, Content Production

    Clint Parks

    Producer

    André Gabrielli, National Geographic Club

    Final Updated

    Sept. 14, 2020

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