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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]]), [[Morocco]], the [[Ivory Coast]] and other territories.
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]]), [[Morocco]], the [[Ivory Coast]] 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>
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 United States did not break relations with Vichy until 1944.
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.
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 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.
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.