"My Country, 'Tis of Thee",

This cover to Life Magazine appeared on 10 February 1916 with the intent of persuading Americans to take a more active role in WWI. At the time this map was published, the United States maintained a neutral stance under the leadership of President Woodrow Wilson, however some Americans were beginning to see the danger of a strong German Empire, in particular after the sinking of the passenger liner RMS Lusitania by the Germans in May 1915. The editors of Life Magazine were anti-neutral, and published this map to warn readers of what might happen to their "sweet land of liberty" if the United States did not protect itself both at home and abroad. This map shows the United States renamed New Prussia with Germanized versions of various cities, such as Denverburg, New York City as New Potsdam, and DC as New Berlin. Florida has become Turconia and the Pacific Coast is Japonica. A small American Reservation appears around Arizona and New Mexico. And all of Canada is simply labeled Barbarians. On verso is an advertisement for Murad Turkish Cigarettes.

References: PJ Mode Collection #2160.

Condition: B+

Light soiling with a short tear in the right blank margin that has been closed on verso with archival tape.