Vichy regime

Vichy France can be dated from June 10 1940, when Marshal 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 has administrative control over all France. This regime saw the co-operation with German forces, including with the Holocaust, with 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.