France Reborn The Impacts of WWII on France’s Government
Timeline WWII begins in Europe June 22, armistice with Germany July 1940-August Vichy Regime June 6, D-day October 23, Provisional Government April France liberated by Allies Fourth French Republic
France during WWII
Zone Occupée Northern region of France occupied by Nazi Germany Paris included o French sovereignty exercised over entire territory o compliance with Germans mandatory
Vichy Regime July 1940-August 1944 Armistice with Germany ceasefire ensued “Free Zone” located in Vichy (central) France unoccupied by Germans Vichy government established cooperated with Nazi Germany Marshal Phillippe Pétain = chief of state Given all powers Vichy Regime acknowledged as official government by Allied powers.
Vichy Anthem Disney Vichy Cartoon Parody
Cooperation with Nazis Full collaboration with Nazis German custody under law, anyone hiding in France was under Germany custody French police led Jewish raids Vel d’Hiv roundup Drancy Internment Camp “Four confederate states of Protestants, Jews, Freemasons and foreigners”
Free French Movement Fought against Axis forces and Vichy collaborators Considered Vichy Regime illegal and run by traitors Led by Charles de Gaulle
Fall of Vichy Government After D-day invasion, Vichy Regime heads taken to Germany by Nazis July 3, 1944-declaration of Free Republic of Vecors topped by German attack April France liberated by Allied army Pétain resigned Provisional government established
interim government until end of WWII Led by Charles de Gaulle Vichy government unconstitutional all actions considered illegal/laws cancelled 1. Constitutional acts 2. discrimination against Jews 3. all acts against “secret societies” Established labor laws Provisional Government of the French Republic
Collaboration with Nazis was common During war: taken to Drancy Internment Camp women who had relations with Nazis/prostitutes heads shaved for public humiliation 6,000 executions of collaborators before the Liberation, and 4,000 afterward After war: executions supported by Charles de Gaulle brought to court Epuration Légales
Fourth French Republic Control ¼ of Germany Economic downfall United Nations European Coal and Steel Community pre-cursor to European Union Decolonization Indochina Independence Battle in Algeria
The Battle of Algiers