Which of American images and symbols the most recognizable, absorbed the national idea, live in the hearts of many people?Statue of Liberty, hamburger, Mickey Mouse.And, of course, Uncle Sam!It (akin to the ideas of Russian extraction: balalaika, bear, vodka, caviar) forever imprinted in the minds of every tourist who arrived in the United States.
history character
Who is Uncle Sam?It is, in fact, the protagonist of the American propaganda posters.The illustration shows an elderly man with delicate features, dressed in a blue coat and a cylinder "American" flowers with asterisks.He sternly looked right at us and says (literally): "I need you for the US Army!" The fact that Uncle Sam as a character gained popularity in American folklore since 1812, during the war with Great Britain.According to one version, the caterer for the army was a businessman named Sam.All goods for the troops then labeled (marked and now) in bold letters U and S, which meant, of course, United States.But miraculously the abbreviation coincided with deciphering humorous Uncle Sam (the US - Uncle Sam).Hence the stable expression of these things.Fortunately, an ardent assistant US military is so called!
Another version
In another legend, the United States is not always called the USA.Even the name of the practice - USAm, from which comes Uncle Sam (U. Sam).Jokers of the time "decoded" the inscription, hence there was the phrase "Uncle Sam."
Poster finger
must say that Uncle Sam - this is not the first (nor the last) agitation for the army.Three years earlier (1914), the British produced a similar poster, remembering it then British War Minister Lord Kitchener.A classic illustration of Uncle Sam has been designed as a poster in 1917, during the First World War.And the artist (J. Flagg) painted his face character, thus perpetuating itself at all times.Then appears the famous inscription at the bottom of the figure: "You need a US Army."Uncle Sam as it points the finger at him, standing in front of him.
Interestingly, the Soviet Union used this idea in the famous poster "You volunteered?", Only changed the color scheme pattern with blue and white on a red radical.The artist who painted these things work (D. Moore), also used his face as a prototype of the hero-Budennys, painted himself.At the beginning of the Great Patriotic Moore renews old poster - here soldier with a rifle in a helmet and with sectional pouches.A poster with the idea budёnnovtsem, in turn, borrowed I. Toidze, the artist who created the famous WWII era poster - "Motherland Calls!".
Tracking picture
All of the above signs, including "Uncle Sam", built on the model, which is called "tracking image".This kind of artistic illusion, famous artists from ancient times at which, looking at the picture at any angle, from any angle, as if you see the character's eyes.The impression is that he is constantly watching you.The propaganda propaganda materials such techniques designed to enhance the psychological effect of the presence, in addition to work on the human brain.To make the servo pattern, draw a person from the front.The body turned directly to the viewer.A gaze is directed straight ahead.Thus the desired effect is achieved.
Uncle Sam today
Classic, all-honored image of a modern twist sometimes undergoes some changes: can be represented in everyday clothing, even in overalls or jeans.But the cylinder is the same as a hundred years ago, is still traditional.Unchanged as was and still is the main feature of the uncle - caring about who so need it.Also known phrase: "Uncle Sam cares about you", familiar to every American to poor or suffering.
perpetuate the image
In September 1961, the US Congress passed a resolution praising Sam Wilson as a prototype of Uncle Sam.In the hometown of the businessman a memorial monument, which tells how the events occurred.This and the grave of "Uncle Sam" in the city of Troy.The debate about the origins of the character does not cease to this day.There are all new versions, alternative theories.While certainly an accurate history hardly ever have to find out!
interpretations and irony
In time of peace, as opposed to the military when the bright image of Uncle carried a positive campaign, advocacy notes, created a lot of cartoons and parodies, like (seemingly) "defaming" the name of Uncle Sam.But it is not so!After negative publicity also good effect on people's minds.In those countries where the anti-American sentiment, posters uncle often used to illustrate the imperial ambitions of the United States.In its anti-globalization demonstrations and pickets also sometimes burn an effigy of Uncle Sam, along with the American flag.But despite all this, the image of Uncle Sam's ever been and remains more positive than negative.
