This introductory chapter begins with a brief history of how illustrator James Montgomery Flagg came up with the poster of Uncle Sam captioned “I Want YOU”. This poster eventually became one of the most iconic images in American politics, even a visual metaphor for America itself. It then discusses Americans' sense of obligation towards the war-time government, Americans' first wartime experience, the wartime state, voluntarism, and mob violence. An overview of the subsequent chapters is then presented.
Keywords: World War I, America, mob violence, war-time government, voluntarism,