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The German occupation of France and Belgium reflected in post- cards. 1914–1918

Medyakov Alexander

The article deals with the role and functions of postcards during the German occupation in France and Belgium during the First World War. Various aspects of the production and consumption of postcards, their existence in the daily life of both the occupation forces and the inhabitants of the occupied territories are explored. The problem of «tourist» practices of German soldiers and the role of postcards in their implementation is posed. The propagandistic interpretations of the occupation on postcards are analyzed, in particular, in the context of the opposition of «culture» and «barbarism». A conclusion is drawn about the value of postcards as a source from the point of view of studying the «culture of war».

Keywords: postcards, World War I, occupation, France, Belgium, propaganda, everyday life in wartime
Link: Medyakov A. The German occupation of France and Belgium reflected in post- cards. 1914–1918 // Annual of French Studies 2018: Cross-cultural contacts during foreign occupation.М. P. 296-314.