Kultur
World War One unleashed a level of anti-German hatred that would be unthinkable today. Orchestrated primarily by nationalist organizations and targeted at the whole population, including children, the propaganda war was mostly directed at Wilhelm II and his general staff and army. They were ridiculed at times, especially for their failed plans to occupy Paris, or accused of unthinkable cruelty. Hatred later came to include anything remotely associated with German culture, including the letter “K” or German sounding names. Shopkeepers with names that even hinted at the enemy had to beware, and some Paris shop signs were savagely vandalized. Salesmen for German companies were particularly suspected of operating as intelligence agents before the war. There were calls for a boycott of German products, but there was also widespread suspicion about spies and even demoralizing speech.
