Columbia Vanishing: Disappearance of the American Republic and the Emergence of the Modern State, Personified

An Exploration of American Iconography

Nations define themselves through symbols. The images and themes used may speak to explicit and intended statements of purpose, while others may say more than the surface level suggests. The United States of America used the female personification and symbol of Columbia from its revolution until after the first World War. During and after the Great War, the use of Columbia fell out of favor for several reasons. These include the rise in popularity of Uncle Sam—a symbol used time and again in the early twentieth century—and the use of the Statue of Liberty, which also grew in prominence as a symbol of the United States after the World Wars. Lady Liberty, however, is a static figure. While Columbia existed with kinetic energy, Lady Liberty stands still, silent and lifeless. It is worth questioning why the iconic and dynamic figure of Columbia faded from American thought. What caused Columbia’s vanishing?