WW1 1917 Poster

WW1 1917 Poster by  Neumont Maurice Louis Henri (1868-1930)

Size 80cm x 60cm

A vivid and disturbing propaganda map distributed in France in the final year of WWI depicting Germany as a gigantic strangling octopus.

A caption across the top of the map reads "Even in 1788, Mirabeau was saying that War is the National Industry of Prussia,” effectively serving as the map's title. Donning a spiked helmet, the octopus spreads its tentacles across all of Europe, and into Russia and Asia Minor as well. To the right, a series of three caricatures depict Prussian soldiers of 1715, 1815, and 1914, deriding them while expressing their alarming historical aggression. The last of these is the most vivid and threatening: a menacing ugly soldier brandishing a bloodstained bayonet.

As a warning of what will transpire if France fails to continue fighting, the text quotes the Pan-German Association, which issued the following statement on the brink of WWI: "It is necessary that the German people rise like a master people above the inferior peoples of Europe." Color codes and different shades of red—the color of blood—indicate Prussia's territorial expansion. Red and blue dots—seen in Belgium and Lorraine—indicate German occupation. A quotation from the Prime Minister of France General Petain appears at the bottom of the map: "Since we have been attacked, we have merely defended ourselves, in the name of Freedom and to save our very Existence.” Appearing in the upper right corner is the phrase: "All of France stands up for the victory of right."

Along with other anti-German literature, this map was produced for the “La Conference au Village contre la Propagande ennemie en France” in December of 1917, designed by artist Maurice Neumont (1868-1930). “La Conference” sought to counter German propaganda and the widespread unpopularity of the War by contending that the war would liberate French territories seized by the Germans. Prussian annexation dates of several regions are given, including the formerly French Alsace-Lorraine, “seized from France in 1871" (the year of German Unification); Hesse-Nassau in 1866; Territoires Polonais in 1772–1795; etc. Adjacent to the annexed territory of Alsace-Lorraine a note reads: "Invaded 47 years ago, Alsace-Lorraine is no different from the French departments invaded three years ago."

A WWI propaganda map warning of German expansionism and promising the French people the liberation of occupied territories if they continue to support and fight the widely unpopular war.