Blacks in Nazi Propaganda

Background: According to Nazi racial theory Blacks were an inferior race, but at least a “pure” one. As such, they were properly at home in Africa, but not in the rest of the world. After World War I there was considerable German anger when French colonial troops were stationed in occupied areas of Germany. During World War II the Nazis continued the theme, presenting Blacks as ignorant savages intent on seducing White women, although Nazi propaganda occasionally presented them as the victims of French, British, or American oppression.

The source: Taken from my own collection or from the University of Heidelberg’s on-line collections. Theirs are available under a Creative Commons License.

Nazi Caricatures of Blacks

	Caption: “Colonial peoples.” In the top frame, a British soldier commanding a mass of Indian troops wonders why Germany needs colonies. In the bottom frame, a French officer says that Germany does not need colonies since it has no idea what to do with them. Source: Kladderadatsch, #3/1934. My collection.
	Caption: “French Culture.” A French colonial soldier has looted and ruined a French woman. Underneath: “Robbery, murder, racial defilement!” Source: Kladderadatsch, #25/1940. Heidelberg collection.
	Caption: “Black cannon fodder: Look, darling, that’s the best solution to the Nigger problem!” The poster says: ‘America’s Black sons! Join the Negro army. F. Roosevelt.” Source: Lustige Blätter, #9/1942. My collection.
	Caption: “The lady is in doubt.” A British woman is reading a booklet titled Guidelines for Relations with U.S.A. Soldiers. She reads: “...everything you do for American soldiers serves the cause of victory...” She asks herself: “Hmm... What does ‘everything’ mean here?” Source: Kladderadatsch, #13/1943. Heidelberg collection.
	The United States offers cash to African Blacks: “Hey, boys, come with me! If you become a flyer with us you will be able to shoot at White women and children!” Source: Lustige Blätter, #33/1943. My collection.
	Caption: “America’s desire — Europe’s fate.” A cartoon on the race-mixing theme. Source: Fliegende Blätter, #42/1943. Heidelberg collection.
	Caption: “Our most eager aviation student! He was going to be lynched for killing a White, but was rescued at the last minute.” The point is both that Blacks are inferior and that the Americans will use any means to defeat Germany. Source: Lustige Blätter, #43/1943. My collection.
	Caption: “Our proposal.” According to the text at the bottom, the U.S. was planning a monument for Negroes. The suggestion is that Blacks were treated harshly in the United States, even if they were welcome to commit crimes against Germany. Source: Lustige Blätter, #45/1943. My collection.
	Caption: “Look at the funny factories they have here in Europe, Bimbo!.” Ignorant American Blacks mistake the ruins of a cultural landmark for a factory. This was one of the last issues of the magazine. It, like many others, ceased publication to free up resources for the war effort. Source: Lustige Blätter, #34/1944. My collection.

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