Uncle Sam is one of the first symbols people think of when they envision the United States, he was created in 1917 after the United States declared war on Germany with the purpose of inspiring young men to join the Army. A civic artifact is something that draws an audience toward it or engages an audience to do something. In this case, the iconic Uncle Sam posters engaged audiences to join the United States Army.
The images clearly depict Uncle Sam giving a mean mug to the United States people with an outstretched finger pointing directly to the reader. The image spread like rapid fire across the war-torn country gaining support through peoples feeling like it was their patriotic obligation to serve Uncle Sam and help save the country and the world. The image began to fade into obscurity after the end of World War I, but when the sequel came around the image arose from the deep depths of irrelevancy to help gain support for the military once more.
The image had the same effect decades later ramping up great support and enlistment numbers for the nazi slayers. The boldness of “YOU” in the image really encapsulates a feeling of individualism making each member of the audience feel special and like they really matter as well as making them feel like they are an intricate piece to the puzzle of stopping the war and genocide in the European Continent. The use of the word “I” really ties into the feeling of the country being entirely united during the times and Uncle Sam being the voice of all the united people asking for “YOUR” help.
The Uncle Sam motif was extremely fitting for the time when people were scared about the future and what would be of the country, he found a way to make every citizen feel united but also as an individual and that they mattered for the security of the country.
Great Job!