Many people are aware of the existence of Uncle Sam. They may have encountered with the famous I WANT YOU poster. But not many have probably thought deeper about this symbol of the United States. The curiousness in finding out who exactly this person is (was), what this figure represents, and how it became a symbol of the United States, stood behind this BA Thesis work. The first, basic step, a curious person, who wants to learn basic elements of something would do, is to consult a dictionary or an encyclopedia. This is what the Oxford Guide to British and American Culture says about Uncle Sam: He is defined as "the imaginary person who represents United States and its government" (Crowther 553).
American citizens are famous for their extensive usage of their national symbols. They display these symbols all over. The flags are hanging in front of the houses even on ordinary day.
English: Uncle Sam recruiting poster.
English: Grave of Samuel Wilson and his wife in Oa...
The only known image of Samuel Wilson, who is thou...They multiply on national holidays. The end of Civil war are Americans fixed to their flag. Stars and stripes play the position of religious idol and the flag is for Americans much more important symbol of national identity than for the other nations.
The usage of the national symbols in the United States became common and wide spread after the Civil war. This was due to the need to display the affinity to the newly reunited nation, on the side of Union. Michal Faber points out in his essay about patriotic covers of this era.
Frequent recurrence of the Stars and Stripes accompanied by the American eagle, despite the different positions and sizes of the various slogans, does not represent a significant departure from the basic emblem. Symbolic subject encompass American heroes, male designs, female designs, eagles, flags, and shields. Liberty bells, verses, Globes, cannons, or hands...