where did the idea for Uncle Sam originate from?

Answer 1

Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from troy stamped the packaged meats with USAM for united states approved meat, but soldiers joked that it meant U. Sam (uncle sam)
political catrtoonist thomas nast created the image after the civil war and his beard was in honor/refevence to abe lincoln

Answer 2

Uncle Sam is a national personification of the United States dating from the War of 1812. Common folklore holds that his origins trace back to soldiers stationed in upstate New York, who would receive barrels of meat stamped with the initials U.S. The soldiers jokingly referred to it as the initials of the meat supplier, Uncle Samuel Wilson, of Troy, New York. The 87th United States Congress adopted the following resolution on September 15, 1961: "Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives that the Congress salutes Uncle Sam Wilson of Troy, New York, as the progenitor of America's National symbol of Uncle Sam." A monument marks his birthplace in Arlington, Massachusetts.
However, counter-arguments to this theory have been raised by some. One theory suggests that Uncle Sam was a creation by Irish immigrants to the US who used the Gaelic acronym, SAM, or Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá, which is the translation for United States of America, as a nickname for their new host country. Unfortunately, however, the precise origin of the term may never be proven.

Answer 3

The figure we now think of as Uncle Sam was the creation of political cartoonist Thomas Nast, although the famous "Uncle Sam Wants You" posters were created by James Montgomery Flagg, during the US Civil War.

Answer 4

I think it was a portrait pf a meat packer' uncle that was on the package...the uncle was named sam and had a jacket that was made of US flag.
(Please Make sure I get my 10 points in 24 hours.)

Answer 5

I believe it was during the civil war-union troops would receive shipments stamped"U.S." and remark that they just got something from "Uncle Sam" It caught on and become a term to represent the government in general.

Answer 6

UN means UNITED
S means STATES
AM means AMERICA.

so for UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, you get UN SAM. which can later be expanded to UNCLE SAM.

HEY, I READ IT SOMEWHERE.

Answer 7

The image was based on Abraham Lincoln. (At least that's what Alex Trebek said.)

Answer 8

Orangeman315 is correct.

Answer 9

His nieces and nephews.