"Welthafenstadt" und "Tor zur Welt": Selbstdarstellung und Wahrnehmung der Hafenstadt Hamburg 1900-1970

Abstract

Hamburg, the largest German harbour city, has long stressed its maritime character when presenting itself to the outside world. The popular slogan "Gateway to the World" played a central role here, and referred not only to Hamburg's harbour but also to its entertainment district of St. Pauli, with its notorious Reeperbahn and Grosse Freiheit. So far almost nothing is known about Hamburg's historical image of itself as a maritime city, despite the fact that this selfconception was closely connected with the economic ups and downs in the shipping trade. This article examines Hamburg harbour's perception of itself during the course of the twentieth century. The term "Gateway to the World," first coined during World War I, was suddenly popularised at the end of the 1920s. It had a resounding ring to it that was perfect for the tourist trade. The slogan was also used in politics by Democrats and Nazis alike - which is somewhat surprising when one considers its associations with a cosmopolitan "openness to the world." In the postwar period, the term became associated with a return to normality, and has been an integral part of the city's marketing image ever since. Hamburg's portrayal of itself by means of maritime images not only reveals the central importance of shipping and trade for the city but also underlines its perception of globalization during the period under discussion. The international nature of the city, especially of districts such as St. Pauli, became an important aspect of tourism very early on. This article also discusses the social attitudes connected with Hamburg's presentation of itself as a "Gateway to the World." Ultimately it becomes clear how flexibly the term has been applied.