Anti-French German Propaganda Map From the Last Months of World War I
This map, titled What France has stolen from Germany and what it still wants to Stolen!, is a historical propaganda piece that depicts territorial changes between France and Germany during the years 1547, 1786, and 1812. It reflects irredentist sentiments, emphasizing France's alleged aggression and territorial ambitions at Germany's expense. The maps and accompanying text highlight historical shifts in the borders of the German Reich and French territorial acquisitions over time.
The map from 1547 illustrates the boundaries of the German Reich at its peak, with regions like Verdun and Toul firmly under German control. It contrasts this with the modest borders of the German Reich in the 20th century, lamenting the loss of territory. The 1786 map shows France's expansion, particularly along the left bank of the Rhine, including Metz, Alsace-Lorraine, and several Free Imperial Cities, framing these changes as acts of aggression.
The map from 1812 depicts the height of French territorial expansion under Napoleon. France had extended its borders far beyond modern Belgium and the Netherlands, incorporating parts of Hanover, Hamburg, Bremen, Lübeck, and the Lower Elbe. The text emphasizes Napoleon's control over the Rhine Confederation, portraying it as a significant overreach into German lands.
The final section summarizes these historical trends, claiming that France, even after Germany's recovery of Alsace-Lorraine in 1871, remains much larger than it was in 1547. It lists cities and territories formerly part of the German Reich that became French, including Dunkirk, Lille, Nancy, Verdun, and Toul, and accuses France of ongoing ambitions to control the entire left bank of the Rhine. The narrative frames these actions as evidence of consistent territorial aggression and "robbery politics" by France.
This map, published in Berlin, reflects the nationalist perspective of its time, using historical territorial changes to support claims of French hostility and justify German revisionist aspirations.