4 ms·

Krakens on globes. I still find the similarity to the propaganda drawing from a 1938 Stürmer (Nazi propaganda publication) unsettling: see e.g. "World dominatio

Krakens on globes. I still find the similarity to the propaganda drawing from a 1938 Stürmer (Nazi propaganda publication) unsettling: see e.g. "World domination" section at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitic_canard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitic_canard. Sure, it's been used before as well, but it's what I feel reminded of. In many different classes in (German) school we talked quite a lot about Nazi Germany and propaganda, where we also talked about this image and all the messages it transport. A similar logo was also used in the ACTA protests 2010 and found itself criticized for its similarity, e.g. https://taz.de/!5101105/ https://taz.de/!5101105/. Apart from that, thanks for this FOIA request! It's great that the original vector graphics are now available.

Aengeuad 7y ago
It should be noted that there's an extensive history[0] of octopi being used in propaganda posters dating back to 1877, depicting countries such as: Russia/USSR, England/Britain, Prussia/Germany, Japan, America (by both the Nazis and various communists), not to mention more abstract things like imperialism, landlordism, oil companies, company directors, etc. The Nazis didn't even coin the depiction of Jews as octopi, as there's a late 19th century example depicting the Rothschild family as such[1]. Hell, the same year as the crude and anti-semitic Nazi example you have Americans publishing books calling Hitler an octopus in both title and artwork.[2] It's understandable that a German class on Nazi propaganda would focus on the anti-semitic element, and I sympathise with those that are going to have a stronger emotional reaction to such images, but it's important to remember that it's minority of anti-semitic examples compared to numerous examples without such connotations. Perhaps especially so when it's an org depicting itself as the octopus. [0] https://hyperallergic.com/375900/the-map-octopus-a-propaganda-motif-of-spreading-evil/ https://hyperallergic.com/375900/the-map-octopus-a-propagand... [1] https://atlanticsentinel.com/2017/08/the-octopus-in-political-cartoons/ https://atlanticsentinel.com/2017/08/the-octopus-in-politica... [2] https://www.flickr.com/photos/120380035@N05/13567332414 https://www.flickr.com/photos/120380035@N05/13567332414
- ohlookabird 7y ago
  Thanks for links, there were quite a few images I didn't know. I was certainly aware of uses before the Nazis, but what I tried to say was this cartoon in particular has a similar composition and overall layout. Which is probably the main reason I felt reminded of this particular image.

Aengeuad 7y ago

It should be noted that there's an extensive history[0] of octopi being used in propaganda posters dating back to 1877, depicting countries such as: Russia/USSR, England/Britain, Prussia/Germany, Japan, America (by both the Nazis and various communists), not to mention more abstract things like imperialism, landlordism, oil companies, company directors, etc. The Nazis didn't even coin the depiction of Jews as octopi, as there's a late 19th century example depicting the Rothschild family as such[1]. Hell, the same year as the crude and anti-semitic Nazi example you have Americans publishing books calling Hitler an octopus in both title and artwork.[2] It's understandable that a German class on Nazi propaganda would focus on the anti-semitic element, and I sympathise with those that are going to have a stronger emotional reaction to such images, but it's important to remember that it's minority of anti-semitic examples compared to numerous examples without such connotations. Perhaps especially so when it's an org depicting itself as the octopus. [0] https://hyperallergic.com/375900/the-map-octopus-a-propaganda-motif-of-spreading-evil/ https://hyperallergic.com/375900/the-map-octopus-a-propagand... [1] https://atlanticsentinel.com/2017/08/the-octopus-in-political-cartoons/ https://atlanticsentinel.com/2017/08/the-octopus-in-politica... [2] https://www.flickr.com/photos/120380035@N05/13567332414 https://www.flickr.com/photos/120380035@N05/13567332414

ohlookabird 7y ago
Thanks for links, there were quite a few images I didn't know. I was certainly aware of uses before the Nazis, but what I tried to say was this cartoon in particular has a similar composition and overall layout. Which is probably the main reason I felt reminded of this particular image.