This map, created by Maurice Neumont in 1917, was published in Paris during the First World War as part of propaganda efforts to ensure that the population perceived Germany as an aggressive enemy.
The illustration emphasises Prussia's power as part of a unified Germany. To this end, the upper right-hand corner highlights how Germany's military power increased after unification in 1871. Furthermore, like many other propaganda maps, it uses the octopus as an allegory for German expansionism.
The map is accompanied by several quotes from well-known and respected figures in France to further caricature the enemy as a country whose only industry is war:
- At the top, you can read « War is Prussia's national industry. »This quote, attributed to Honoré Gabriel Riquetti, Count of Mirabeau and renowned orator during the French Revolution, can be translated as “War is Prussia's national industry.”.
- At the bottom, you can read «Attacked, we are merely defending ourselves in the name of Freedom and to save our Existence.»This other quote, attributed to Philippe Pétain, French national hero during the First World War, can be translated as “When attacked, we only defend ourselves in the name of Liberty and to save our Existence.”.
This map, like many others that use octopuses, is heavily influenced by the map of Fred W. Rose. In this monograph, You can see many more examples.
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