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This propaganda poster from the Ligue Maritime et Coloniale Française, circa 1930, emphasizes France’s expansive colonial empire.
The world map at the center marks French colonies in red, showcasing the reach of the empire across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Surrounding the map are photographs that illustrate France's colonial infrastructure: the construction of a railway in Central Africa, a bustling port in Algeria, and an image entitled “The colonies bring their resources to the mother country,” reflecting the economic relationship between France and its colonies. Additional images feature landmarks such as the Palace of the Governor General in Saigon, Antananarivo in Madagascar, an ore factory in New Caledonia, and Fort-de-France in Martinique. Also pictured are ships from the Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes and Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, emphasizing the maritime network connecting France to its overseas territories.
The Ligue Maritime et Coloniale Française was established in 1921, following the merger of the Ligue Maritime and the Ligue Coloniale, with a mission to promote both military and commercial maritime efforts as well as colonial expansion. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the organization actively used posters, school programs, radio broadcasts, and public ceremonies to propagate its imperialist message. This poster reflects that agenda, highlighting the economic contributions of the colonies and the infrastructure France built to manage and exploit its territories. The images of industrial and agricultural production underscore the colonial message of resource extraction and France’s dependence on its colonies for economic growth.
The poster also reflects the era’s nationalist and imperialist mindset, common in France before World War II, when maintaining and expanding colonial possessions was seen as vital to the nation’s prestige and prosperity. This piece of visual propaganda served to justify France’s continued presence in its colonies by highlighting their contributions to the "motherland." The poster was printed by Crête in Paris, a key printer for such propaganda efforts, and circulated widely to reinforce public support for colonial and maritime activities.
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