Vichy Regime
The Vichy Regime was a collaborative French government established during World War II after the fall of France to Nazi Germany in June 1940. Here is a detailed overview:
Formation
Following the defeat of France by Germany in the Battle of France, an armistice was signed on June 22, 1940, which divided France into an occupied northern zone and a supposedly 'free' southern zone. Marshal Philippe Pétain was appointed head of the new French state, with its capital in the town of Vichy.
Political Structure
- Head of State: Marshal Pétain held executive power, with the title of "Chief of the French State."
- Legislature: The National Assembly was dissolved, and a new body, the "Conseil National", was formed, but it had little real power.
- Government: The government was run by Pierre Laval, who served as Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and later as Prime Minister.
Policies and Ideology
- National Revolution: The Vichy government promoted a policy of "National Revolution" which aimed to restore France through conservative, traditionalist, and corporatist values, opposing both communism and liberal democracy.
- Collaboration: Vichy France collaborated with Nazi Germany to varying degrees. This included economic collaboration, providing labor, and participating in anti-Semitic policies.
- Anti-Semitism: The regime implemented numerous anti-Jewish laws, leading to the arrest, deportation, and murder of many French Jews, often in cooperation with the German authorities.
- Legislation: The regime passed laws that revoked the citizenship of many naturalized French citizens, especially targeting Jews and political dissidents.
Resistance and Opposition
Despite its official stance, not all French people supported the Vichy government:
- Free France: General Charles de Gaulle established the Free French Forces in London, rallying French resistance against both the Germans and the Vichy regime.
- Internal Resistance: Various resistance groups formed within France, engaging in sabotage, intelligence gathering, and armed struggle.
End of the Vichy Regime
The Vichy Regime effectively ended with the liberation of Paris in August 1944 by the Allies and French resistance forces. Pétain and other Vichy leaders were later tried for treason:
- Marshal Pétain was sentenced to death, though this was commuted to life imprisonment due to his age and wartime service in World War I.
- Pierre Laval was executed after the war.
Legacy
The Vichy Regime remains a controversial and painful part of French history, with debates over the extent of French collaboration versus resistance, and the role of the French people during this period.
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