Title	Journée de l’Armée d’Afrique et des Troupes Coloniales.
Title translation	African Army and Colonial Troops Day.
Creator(s)	Jonas, Lucien, 1880-1947, artist.
Contributor(s)	Devambez (firm), printer.
Physical description	1 print on paper : lithograph, color ; sheet 120 x 80 cm.
Publishing Details	Paris : Devambez, [1917]
Wall Label	In the early twentieth century, France was the second largest colonial empire in the world and had a history of exploiting its subjects for military purposes. During World War I, France sent nearly half a million men from its colonies to the European front. Most of these men came from northern and western Africa with fewer numbers from Indochina. Initially, African troops fought in independent units but as the war dragged on, they were assimilated into European regiments. The French frequently referred to their troupes indigenes (indigenous troops) as “volunteers,” but most were conscripted, and there were numerous uprisings in Africa opposing French recruitment policies. In spite of this, the French government often celebrated the bravery and sacrifices of its African troops and used their participation in the war effort as justification for their colonial empire . This poster was created for a nation-wide fund-raising event for charities supporting the L’Armee D’Afrique and the Troupes Coloniales. By depicting a black soldier leaping into a German trench with barely controlled rage, the artist was playing on widespread stereotypes of West Africans as barbaric savages. The soldier wears the uniform of the tirailleur sénégalais (Senegalese infantrymen) who were reputed to be the most fearless and vicious of the colonial troops. French commanders often used them to lead an assault, and rumors abounded that the Senegalese stormed the trenches, chopping off the heads of German soldiers. Such rumors were useful to both French and German propagandists, with the Germans publicly condemning France’s “illegal” use of “uncivilized” troops on European soil.
Summary	Poster depicting French soldiers, including black soldiers from Africa and the colonies, charging forward.
Notes	Artist's signature at lower right of image . Printer's statement at lower right of sheet . Exhibited in "Over Here: World War I Posters from around the World" held at the Boston Athenaeum, September 10, 2014 - January 31, 2015.
Local notes	Gift; Bartlett H. Hayes; July 1985; #1985.31 (fr. no.17) Athenaeum copy stamped at lower left of sheet: Cette affiche ne peut etre vendue: Des épreuves spéciales sont en vente au bénéfice de la "Journée" a la Maison Devambez, 43, Bd. Malesherbes, Paris.
Country of origin	France_FRA
Link to library catalog	http://catalog.bostonathenaeum.org/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=502826
Link to Exhibit Page	http://www.bostonathenaeum.org/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/over-here-wwi-posters-from-around-the-world
Provenance	Hayes, Bartlett H., 1904-1988, donor
Subject	France. Armée--Colonial forces Africa--Pictorial works. France. Armée. Troupes coloniales--Pictorial works. World War, 1914-1918--France--Posters. World War, 1914-1918--Finance--France--Posters. World War, 1914-1918--Economic aspects--France--Posters. World War, 1914-1918--Participation, West African--Posters. Soldiers--France--Pictorial works. Posters, French.
Genre terms	War posters--France--1910-1920. Lithographs--France--1910-1920. Chromolithographs--France--1910-1920.
Location/Call number	Prints and Photographs Dept. (Appointment required) D 8A9 Usu.fr.(no.17)
Source	Journée de l’Armée d’Afrique.tif
Rights	Collection of the Boston Athenaeum. May not be reproduced or quoted without written permission. For more information, see http://www.bostonathenaeum.org/node/46