Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
The purpose of the map is revealed by a closer examination of its legend, which purports
to list how the United Kingdom acquired each part of her empire. Most of the descriptions
are best considered as partial truths: whilst falling short of outright lies, they lack any attempt
at balance, completeness or even strict accuracy. For example, Canada is noted as 'captured
from France', when only parts of that dominion were ever settled as French colonies. Writing
in the December 1917 issue of the
Geographical Journal
, a British commentator observed
sarcastically that the term 'legend' was an apt label for such dubious statements.
It was this same article that led the Colonial Office to acquire this map. An official who
had read the journal asked the Stationery Office to obtain a copy of it because he realised that
German propaganda relating to British possessions overseas would be valuable to his depart-
ment. In May 1918, the map was duly delivered to the Colonial Office, where it was filed
with a typed copy of part of the article glued to its back.
A notable omission from the map as printed is any indication of the colonies held by other
European powers. These blank spaces of non-British territory cleverly convey the false im-
pression that land-grabbing imperialism was a uniquely British phenomenon. In fact, Ger-
many had built up a significant overseas empire of her own, chiefly in Africa and the Pacif-
ic Ocean, most of which would be captured by her opponents as the war progressed. After
Germany's defeat, the administration of her former colonies - and of some territories lost by
Turkey, her ally - was divided among other countries, including the United Kingdom. Some,
though not all, of these post-war additions to the British Empire have been marked on this
map in pencil. We suspect that Colonial Office officials found this subtle subversion of the
map's original purpose rather satisfying. It is certainly a neat reflection of how the balance of
global power had shifted in Britain's favour.
