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Description

Poster from some point from 1935-38 of the Reichskolonialbund, an organization established by the German government in 1934, promoting the cause of the restoration of Germany's African colonies that were lost in the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The poster argues the perspective of the German government that Germany was facing an overpopulation crisis and needed lands for lebensraum (living space) to be able to send German settlers to that would keep them united with Germany as opposed to being pressured to emigrate out of Germany.

The main focus of Germany's lebensraum policies at this time however was eventual eastward expansion of Germany into Poland, the Baltic lands, and the Soviet Union, and to settle many Germans into areas of these lands. In order to not cause these countries to instantly mobilize and ally against Germany, the German government disguised their intentions by declaring a willingness to look for alternatives to eastern expansion, such as through pressuring Britain, France, and Belgium, to concede central Africa to Germany to allow for influx of major settlers. In spite of these official claims, the aim for eastward expansion in Europe was always there, although there was definitely interest in re-establishing a significant German colonial presence in Africa - including as part of the Madagascar Plan for mass deportation of European Jews to Madagascar that would be ruled under German administration. The Madagascar Plan was later abandoned and the Final Solution was adopted that resulted in the Holocaust.

Note: I understand that in some countries the swastika symbol is banned for its association with National Socialism, for those from those countries who may be concerned - I am posting this content about history and not out of political advocacy.

Description

Poster from some point from 1935-38 of the Reichskolonialbund, an organization established by the German government in 1934, promoting the cause of the restoration of Germany's African colonies that were lost in the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The poster argues the perspective of the German government that Germany was facing an overpopulation crisis and needed lands for lebensraum (living space) to be able to send German settlers to that would keep them united with Germany as opposed to being pressured to emigrate out of Germany.

The main focus of Germany's lebensraum policies at this time however was eventual eastward expansion of Germany into Poland, the Baltic lands, and the Soviet Union, and to settle many Germans into areas of these lands. In order to not cause these countries to instantly mobilize and ally against Germany, the German government disguised their intentions by declaring a willingness to look for alternatives to eastern expansion, such as through pressuring Britain, France, and Belgium, to concede central Africa to Germany to allow for influx of major settlers. In spite of these official claims, the aim for eastward expansion in Europe was always there, although there was definitely interest in re-establishing a significant German colonial presence in Africa - including as part of the Madagascar Plan for mass deportation of European Jews to Madagascar that would be ruled under German administration. The Madagascar Plan was later abandoned and the Final Solution was adopted that resulted in the Holocaust.

Note: I understand that in some countries the swastika symbol is banned for its association with National Socialism, for those from those countries who may be concerned - I am posting this content about history and not out of political advocacy.