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'''Vichy France''' can be dated from June 10, 1940, when Marshal [[Henri Petain|Philippe Pétain]] was granted full power to negotiate with the Germans. At this point the military defeat of [[France]] was inevitable so Pétain, a war hero from [[World War I]], suspended democratic government and surrendered to Germany.

'''Vichy France''' can be dated from June 10, 1940, when Marshal [[Henri Petain|Philippe Pétain]] was granted full power to negotiate with the Germans. At this point the military defeat of [[France]] was inevitable so Pétain, a war hero from [[World War I]], suspended democratic government and surrendered to Germany.

Following the French surrender on June 22, 1940 a new Government was established at [[Vichy]]. "Vichy France" is used to refer to the unoccupied area of southern France. However, the Vichy regime had administrative control over all France and its colonial territories. This regime saw the cooperation with German forces, including deportations during the [[Holocaust]], and a full revolution in state government and French society. The French motto of "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity) was replaced with "Travail, Famille, [[Patrie]]" (Work, family, homeland). [[Trade Unions]] and other political opponents of [[fascism]] were oppressed, [[rugby league]], identified as traditionally anti-fascist was banned - and the sport even remain legally restricted in post-war France.

Following the French surrender on June 22, 1940 a new Government was established at [[Vichy]]. "Vichy France" is used to refer to the unoccupied area of southern France. However, the Vichy regime had administrative control over all France and its colonial territories. This included [[Syria]], [[Algeria]], [[Madagascar]], [[Indochina]] ([[Cambodia]] and [[Vietnam]]), and other territories.

 

The [[United States]] granted Vichy full [[diplomatic]] recognition, thus acknowledging the puppet regime's [[legitimacy]], and it sent Admiral [[William Leahy]] to its capital as American ambassador.<ref>[http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/WorldWar2/leahy.htm President Roosevelt to the Appointed Ambassador to France (Leahy), 20 December 1940],  U.S., Department of State, Publication 1983, Peace and War: United States Foreign Policy, 1931-1941 (Washington, D.C.: U.S., Government Printing Office, 1943), pp. 595-598.</ref>

In 1942 a revolution of the [[French colonies]] in [[Africa]] against the Vichy French was lead by [[Louis DeBois]] but did not gain widespread support. In September DeBois was captured and sentenced to death.<ref>Martin King (1984). "The outcast Frenchmen". WWII remembrance press, New York. pg 128.</ref>

In 1942 a revolution of the [[French colonies]] in [[Africa]] against the Vichy French was lead by [[Louis DeBois]] but did not gain widespread support. In September DeBois was captured and sentenced to death.<ref>Martin King (1984). "The outcast Frenchmen". WWII remembrance press, New York. pg 128.</ref>

The [[United States]] granted Vichy full diplomatic recognition, thus acknowledging the puppet regime's [[legitimacy]], and it sent Admiral [[William Leahy]] to its capital as American ambassador.<ref>[http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/WorldWar2/leahy.htm President Roosevelt to the Appointed Ambassador to France (Leahy), 20 December 1940], U.S., Department of State, Publication 1983, Peace and War: United States Foreign Policy, 1931-1941 (Washington, D.C.: U.S., Government Printing Office, 1943), pp. 595-598.</ref>

The regime oversaw cooperation with German forces, including deportations during the [[Holocaust]], and a full revolution in state government and French society. The French motto of "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity) was replaced with "Travail, Famille, [[Patrie]]" (Work, family, homeland). Trade Unions and other political opponents of [[fascism]] were oppressed, the rugby league, traditionally identified with the British Commonwealth and anti-fascist, was banned - and the sport even remained legally restricted in post-war France.

 

The leading opponent of Vichy was [[Charles de Gaulle]], leader of the [[Free French]]. When they came to power in 1944-45 they systematically eradicated Vichy influence; many Vichy leaders were executed or imprisoned. Petain was given a death sentence, which de Gaulle commuted to life in prison.  

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==

* Azema, Jean-Pierre. ''From Munich to Liberation 1938-1944'' (The Cambridge History of Modern France) (1985)

* Azema, Jean-Pierre. ''From Munich to Liberation 1938-1944'' (The Cambridge History of Modern France) (1985)