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World War II in Maps: Pre-War Maps

This guide provides information about the maps shown in the World War II Map Tour that was offered in Malpass Library on April 16, 2019.

Maps from before World War II

Matthews-Northrop Company. 1920. Map of Europe showing countries as established by the Peace Conference at Paris. Washington: National Geographic Society. Map Collection MAP. G5700 1920 .M3

This map shows the boundaries of Europe as established by the Treaty of Versailles.

Fischer, H., and Penck, A. 1925. Der deutsche Volks- und Kulturboden in Mittel- und Osteuropa [Translated title: German population and cultural influence in Central and Eastern Europe]. Leipzig: Wagner & Debes. Map Collection MAP. G5701.E6 1925 .P46

This map shows the areas in central and eastern Europe that the cartographers identified as having a cultural landscape that was influenced by Germans. The landscape considered agricultural land use, the transportation network and the layout of cities and towns. The concept was appropriated by the Nazis as justification for annexing and invading other areas of Europe.

Sifton, Praed & Co. (1921). Sketch map of the Pacific Ocean. London: Sifton, Praed & Co. Map Collection MAP. G9230 1921 .S5

This map shows the territorial ownership of islands in the Pacific. Includes notes listing the islands claimed by the Great Powers.