Christopher Capozzola: Uncle Sam, the Draft, and Vigilantes in World War I | Robinson's Podcast #134

Christopher Capozzola is Professor of History and MacVicar Faculty Fellow at MIT, where he works on the history of citizenship, war, and the military in modern American history. In this episode, Robinson and Chris discuss his first book, Uncle Sam Wants You: World War I and the Making of the Modern American Citizen (Oxford, 2008). More particularly, they talk about the background of the famous Uncle Sam “I Want You!” image and its status as a piece of propaganda, how it functioned in the United States during World War I, the domestic reception and consequences of the draft, and how patriotism resulted in violent vigilante justice. Chris’s latest book is Bound by War: How the United States and the Philippines Built America’s First Pacific Century.

OUTLINE
00:00 Introduction
03:50 History as Narrative
08:01 Teaching History at MIT
12:21 Chris’s Interest in American History
14:42 The Origin and Purpose of Uncle Sam
32:48 Political Obligation and the Draft in World War I
45:06 History and Unwritten Facts
50:07 Draft Dodgers, Conscientious Objectors, and Vigilantes in WWI
01:04:35 Historians, Philosophers, and Political Obligation
01:16:50 How World War I Was Caused by Bad Leaders
01:23:01 Free Speech During and After the War

Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between.

[TimZM]

I never heard about this side of WW One before!

[biometronome]

Thank you, i definitely want to read Christopher Capozzola's book.
On the subject of WWI there's also the amazing book "American Midnight" by Adam Hochschild

[bernardofitzpatrick]

Really interesting psychological, sociological, political, ideological, civil rights take on conscription and “voluntarism” etc in USA during WWI. I find history fascinating. Pins, you have a great profile ! Thanks Robinson and Pins!

[tylerparks]

Just came across your channel and truly enjoyed this, thank you. Subscribed and liked

[missh]

Howdy fellow time travellers! Things to do and see in 17th Century, 1652, The common era. Can you give us any recommendations? Thanks!

[dmitryalexeev]

this channel rocks, thanks Robinson! wish more people knew about your work 🥸