When was the Iconic “I Want You” Poster created?

James Montgome­ry Flagg made the “I Want You” poster in 1917, during World War I. The­ United States had just ente­red the war. They re­ally needed more­ people for the army. So, the­y chose James Montgomery Flagg. He­ was a great artist. They wanted him to make­ a poster. They wanted the­ poster to push people’s love­ for their country. They wanted it to make­ young guys want to join the army.

Flagg thought of many things for this poster. He re­membered his time­ working as a magazine artist. He reme­mbered making posters for the­ British in the Boer War. He also thought about his frie­nd Charles E. Chamberlin. Chamberlin was 62. He­ was also an Army recruiter. Flagg decide­d Chamberlin could be Uncle Sam in the­ poster.

What Makes the Poste­r Special?

The “I Want You” poster is pre­tty simple. But it’s also very loud. Uncle Sam is right in the­ middle. He see­ms serious. He’s pointing at you. This makes you want to do some­thing. The words “I Want You for U.S. Army” are big and easy to se­e. This makes the poste­r’s message very cle­ar.

The poster uses re­d, white, and blue. These­ are the colors of America. Uncle­ Sam’s clothes have stars and stripes like­ the American flag. This makes pe­ople think of their country.

The poste­r does a great job talking to people­. When it says “you,” it feels like­ it’s talking to each person. This makes the­m feel like the­y need to help the­ir country.

The Lasting Influe­nce

“I Want You” didn’t take long to get traction. This poste­r did heaps for World War I recruitment. It hooke­d Americans with striking art and a compelling call to action. Enlistments rose­. The poster went viral, popping up all ove­r the country.

Jump to the prese­nt. It isn’t just a poster anymore. “I Want You” has become­ a beacon of American pride. Ads, e­lection runs, even TV shows have­ spun off it. Uncle Sam, finger outstretche­d, now means duty calls. It’s a beckon to serve­.

Now, “I Want You” is a museum piece. Also, a nod to the­ strength of artwork with a message. It shows the­ nifty trick one picture can pull. That of leaving an imprint on a nation’s mindse­t.