Cornell University Library Digital Collections
A La Gloire de Notre Empire d'Outre-Mer [The Glory of Our Overseas Empire]
- Title:
- A La Gloire de Notre Empire d'Outre-Mer [The Glory of Our Overseas Empire]
- Alternate Title:
- A La Gloire de Notre Empire d'Outre-Mer
- Collection:
- Persuasive Cartography: The PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- La Ligue Maritime et Coloniale Francaise [The French Maritime and Colonial League]
- Other Creators:
- Giroud-Rivoire, Lyon, printer.
- Date:
- 1942
- Posted Date:
- 2024-04-25
- ID Number:
- 2467.01
- File Name:
- PJM_2467_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1940 - 1959
- Subject:
- Advertising & Promotion
Imperialism
Not So Persuasive
Pictorial
World War II
- Measurement:
- 22 x 35on sheet 27 x 41 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- On its face, this colorful map is a typical patriotic tribute to the imperial reach of France before World War II. It was published by the French Maritime and Colonial League, a public organization with roots in the 19th century and supported by more than 500,000 members. It is a celebration of those who explored and colonized Africa for the French, a tribute to "The Glory of Our Overseas Empire." The major 19th century explorers are identified by name, and the tracks of their "Grandes Explorations Francaises" are shown, along with a list of names and dates of some three dozen other explorations. French flags decorate portions of north and west Aftrica. Stereotypical images are shown of a well-dressed North African (perhaps a Berber), a black native, and a classic colonist. All in all, a sunny and enthusiastic acclamation of the empire.
But this map was published in 1942 for a very different purpose. In June 1940, after France's sudden and dramatic defeat by the Germans, the parties agreed to the establishment of an "independant" and "neutral" collaborationist French state headquartered at Vichy in the south, headed by Marshal Philippe Pétain, a hero of World War I. Under this arrangement, the Vichy French government was technically responsible for civil administration, including continuing administration of the colonies, and the Maritime and Colonial League supported the Vichy government. This publication was likely intended in part by the Germans and their French collaborators to calm and reassure the French public, to suggest that things were more or less as before the invasion. At the bottom of the page is a plea for viewers to join ("adherez a") the League, followed by two addresses. One is in the "Zone Occupee," at the League's headquarters on rue de Mogador in Paris. The other is in the "Zone Non Occupee," at 13, rue Lucas, Vichy. The League apparently still exists, with headquarters in Paris.
For a similar publication by the League, see ID #2639, "L'Empire Français uni derrière le Marechal. [The French Empire United Behind the Marshall]." (1941).
Cornell University Library is pleased to present this digital collection of Persuasive Maps, the originals of which have been collected and described by the private collector PJ Mode. The descriptive information in the “Collector’s Notes” has been supplied by Mr. Mode and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cornell University.
- Source:
- Mer et Colonies [Sea and Colonies], May 1942, supplement.
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.
