Who is Uncle Sam?
A personification representing either the U.S. federal government or the U.S. nation, “Uncle Sam” represents both. When referring to a particular tax or regulatory body in the context of money, Uncle Sam may refer to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For example, “I have to pay Uncle Sam a portion of my income to pay for roads and hospitals.” is something someone would say.
Understanding Uncle Sam
According to a standard derivation, the term “Uncle Sam” initially appeared in early American military history when it was used to refer to meat packer Samuel Wilson. During the American Revolutionary War, Wilson was an officer who supplied the Continental Army with beef.
Following his discharge from the army, he and his brother opened a meatpacking plant in Troy, New York, which provided supplies to American soldiers fighting the British during the War of 1812 in New York and New Jersey. Wilson’s nickname, Uncle Sam, was linked to barrels of meat bearing the “U.S.” stamp. This led to the personification of the federal government since the initials U.S.2 stand for the United States.
The personification of the United States before the 19th century was “Brother Jonathan,” a moniker first used to disparage Puritans during the English Civil War. Three other popular depictions of American women are Columbia and, since the turn of the 20th century, Lady Liberty.
Uncle Sam in Popular Culture
The federal government is sometimes called “Uncle Sam,” especially when discussing income taxes or financial regulations in the financial media. Certain tax-sheltered assets, such as qualified retirement accounts or municipal bonds, are commonly referred to as being “off-limits to Uncle Sam,” meaning that the federal government does not impose taxes on them.
Uncle Sam is believed to have “had his say” or “given his stamp of approval” by regulating a variety of financial operations and transactions, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) supervision of mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Over the years, Uncle Sam has been heavily used in American government propaganda to promote a range of military operations and policies, including their funding, with variable degrees of economic consequence.
For instance, Uncle Sam was used to support the U.S. Treasury’s liberty bond program, which helped fund military expenditures during World War I and, according to one researcher, contributed to the financialization of the American economy in the early 20th century.
In 1961, Congress approved a resolution honoring Samuel Wilson as the namesake of the Uncle Sam emblem.
The most well-known image of Uncle Sam is based on a World War I military recruitment poster by James Montgomery Flagg, which features a stern Uncle Sam pointing his index finger outward and the words “I want YOU for the U.S. Army.” An elderly white guy with a white goatee beard is seen in this illustration, with a red bow tie and a top hat reminiscent of the American flag. Since the 1910s, his image has been used on several occasions.
Was Uncle Sam a natural person?
Samuel Wilson, the real-life character portrayed in Uncle Sam, founded a meatpacking business after the American Revolution. His business provided meat to soldiers during the War of 1812, giving him the moniker “Uncle Sam.”
What Is the Uncle Sam Poster Supposed to Show About Universal Ideas?
The personification of the U.S. government is Uncle Sam. Though in specific contexts, the personification does represent the United States as a whole, his primary purpose is to symbolize the concepts of the government rather than other facets of the country, such as liberty and freedom. The well-known Uncle Sam poster, which says “I Want You” and points at the spectator, was widely displayed during World War I to advocate American participation in the conflict and urge military membership.
What Unique Meanings Do Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty Aim to Represent?
Uncle Sam is meant to be the federal government of the United States. Thus, he supports the federal government, taxes, membership in the armed forces, and any other federal measures. Lady Liberty is intended to stand for the principles of the United States of America, including equality, freedom, and the American Dream.
Conclusion
- Since the 19th century, Uncle Sam has represented the United States federal government.
- Usually, he’s portrayed as an older man wearing a red bow tie and a top hat with stars on it.
- The IRS collects income taxes from companies and American residents and is often called Uncle Sam in everyday speech.
- A typical depiction of Uncle Sam in popular culture is a poster showing him pointing at the spectator and saying, “I Want You,” which is used to promote military recruiting efforts in the United States.
- While Lady Liberty and Columbia symbolize the United States, Uncle Sam represents the American government.
