Cartoon, German arrested in the street, WW1
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Cartoon, German arrested in the street, WW1
Cartoon showing a German arrested in the street by a policeman and a soldier, at the start of the First World War. He is protesting: But how much more times must I tell you I vas an Englishman? Date: August 1914
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Media ID 14121998
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Accent Alien Arrest Arrested Bomb Dialect Idiom Language Policeman Policemen Sabotage Handcuffed Racial
EDITORS COMMENTS
This satirical cartoon, published in August 1914, depicts the tense atmosphere at the start of the First World War as tensions between Germany and the Allied powers reached a boiling point. The image shows a German man, dressed in traditional Bavarian attire, being arrested on the street by a policeman and a soldier. The man, with a confused expression on his face, protests, "But how much more times must I tell you I vas an Englishman?" The cartoonist's use of humor in this situation highlights the fear and suspicion that existed towards Germans living in Allied countries during this time. The German man's heavy accent, idiomatic language, and dialect were often used to stereotype and stigmatize Germans, fueling anti-German sentiment. The image also touches on the issue of alien registration and the fear of sabotage and bombings that were attributed to German immigrants and sympathizers. The man is shown handcuffed and being led away, with a bomb-like object lying on the ground nearby, adding to the sense of danger and uncertainty. This historical cartoon is a poignant reminder of the racial and ethnic tensions that emerged during the First World War and the impact that language and dialect can have on shaping perceptions and fueling prejudice. The cartoon also serves as a reminder of the complex historical context of the war and the ways in which it affected people's lives and communities.
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