Vichy France

Vichy France, or the Vichy regime (in French, now called: Régime de Vichy or Vichy; at the time, called itself: État Français, or French State) was the de facto French government of 1940-1944 during the Nazi Germany occupation of World War II. The Vichy position that it was the de jure French government was challenged by the Free French Forces of Charles de Gaulle, and French governments ever since have held that the Vichy regime was an illegal government run by traitors.

The fall of France and the establishment of the Vichy regime

France declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939 following the German invasion of Poland. After the eight month Phony War the Germans launched their offensive in the west on 10 May 1940. Within days, it became clear that French forces were overwhelmed and could not resist for very long. The inevitable collapse of French military resistance gave rise to deep divisions within the government. Many officials, including the Prime Minister, Paul Reynaud, wanted to move the government to French territories in North Africa, and continue the war with the French naval fleet and the resources of its empire. Others, particularly the vice-premier Henri Philippe Pétain and the commander-in-chief General Maxime Weygand, insisted that the government should seek an armistice with Germany, and remain in France. While this debate continued, the government was forced to relocate to Bordeaux in order to avoid capture by advancing German forces. Communications were inconsistent. Thousands of French civilian refugees clogged the roads. In these chaotic conditions, the advocates of an armistice gained the upper hand, and the decision was made to seek terms from Germany.

Related Topics:
3 September - 1939 - Poland - Phony War - Offensive in the west - 10 May - 1940 - North Africa - Henri Philippe Pétain - Maxime Weygand - Armistice

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Prime Minister Paul Reynaud resigned over the decision and President Albert Lebrun appointed the 84-year-old Pétain to replace him on June 16. Pétain began negotiations and on June 22 signed the surrender agreement with Germany and Italy. The key section of the agreement divided France into occupied and unoccupied zones. Germany would occupy northern and western France including the entire Atlantic coast. The remaining two-fifths of the country would be governed by the French government with the capital at Vichy under Pétain. Ostensibly, the French government would administer the entire territory. The French Army was reduced to 100,000 men and French prisoners of war would remain in captivity. The French had to pay the occupation costs of the German troops and prevent any French people from leaving the country.

Related Topics:
Paul Reynaud - Albert Lebrun - June 16 - June 22 - Surrender agreement with Germany - Atlantic - French Army - Prisoners of war

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The Vichy government broke off diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on July 5 after the destruction of the French Fleet at Mers-el-Kebir by British naval forces.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - July 5 - Destruction of the French Fleet at Mers-el-Kebir

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The Third Republic was voted out of existence by a majority of the French National Assembly on July 10, 1940. The assembly met in Vichy, a city in central France, which was used as a provisional capital. The Vichy regime was established the following day, with Pétain as head of state, with the whole powers (Constitutive, Legislative, Executive and Judicial) in his hand. Pétain was given the power to write a new Constitution but this was never done. He instead put forth three Constitutional Acts that suspended the Constitution of the Third Republic of 1875. These Acts suspended Parliament and transferred all powers to himself. On July 12th, Pétain designated Pierre Laval as Vice-President and his designated successor, and appointed Fernand de Brinon as representative to the German High Command in Paris. Pétain remained as the head of the Vichy regime until August 20 1944. Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité (Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood), the French national motto, was replaced by Travail, Famille, Patrie (Work, Family, Fatherland). Pétain's vice-premiers were successively Pierre Laval and François Darlan. Paul Reynaud, who had not officially resigned as Prime Minister, was arrested in September 1940 by the Vichy government and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1941.

Related Topics:
Third Republic - French National Assembly - July 10 - Vichy - Pierre Laval - Fernand de Brinon - August 20 - 1944 - François Darlan - Paul Reynaud

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