With a Weapon and a Grin: Postcard Images of France's Black African Colonial Troops in WWI

In incorporating Black African soldiers on the European battleground in their war against the Germans in WWI, France needed to change the image of the African from that of savage to a loyal and courageous soldier, a non—threat to French citizenry. What emerged was the Grand Enfant, a child—like figure with a winning grin who nonetheless could be ruthless in pursuit of the Hun. Meanwhile, German propaganda persisted in portraying the African as a cannibal, being unjustly deployed by France a...