US poster depicting Uncle Sam and a list of military occupations
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 27.875 inches (70.803 cm) | Width: 22.000 inches (55.88 cm)
Creator(s)
- United States Government Printing Office (Printer)
- United States Office of War Information (Distributor)
- James M. Flagg (Artist)
Biographical History
The United States Office of War Information (OWI) was created on June 13, 1942, to centralize and control the content and production of government information and propaganda about the war. It coordinated the release of war news for domestic use, and using posters along with radio broadcasts, worked to promote patriotism, warn about foreign spies, and recruit women into war work. The office also established an overseas branch, which launched a large-scale information and propaganda campaign abroad. The government appealed to the public through popular culture and more than a quarter of a billion dollars' worth of advertising was donated during the first three years of the National Defense Savings Program. Victory in Europe was declared on May 8, 1945, and in Japan on September 2, 1945. The OWI ceased operation in September.
Archival History
The poster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1988 by David and Zelda Silberman.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of David and Zelda Silberman
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
US poster depicting Uncle Sam and a list of military occupations below encouraging the public with the necessary skills to apply for these positions. The poster is part of the US propaganda posters distributed by the Office of War Information. The need to manage the war on the Home Front led to the establishment of the OWI in June 1942. This office controlled the design and distribution of war information to the American public in posters, photographs, radio shows, and films. They commissioned work from leading artists of the period. This poster uses the Uncle Sam image made famous by James Montgomery Flagg. As millions of men entered military service, the government and industry waged a concerted campaign to obtain as many applicants for jobs as possible. The number of working women rose by about 6.5 million from 1941 to 1945. By mid-1945 the United States had produced 80,000 landing craft, 100,000 tanks and armored cars, 300,000 airplanes, 15 million guns, and 41 billion rounds of ammunition.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Poster with a black and white graphic image on top depicting Uncle Sam wearing a hat with 3 large stars on a dark band, a dark jacket, and a large bowtie pointing his right index finger at the viewer. His eyebrows are furrowed and his bottom lip is curled up on the right. On the bottom half of the poster is a gray rectangle enclosing text listing military occupations. The artist’s name is below the image.
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Posters.
- Uncle Sam (Symbolic character)
- World War, 1939-1945--War work--United States.
- War posters, American.
Genre
- Object
- Posters