Vichy France: Reviving the ‘Natural Woman’, 1940–1944

When Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, Britain and France declared war. The Communists were excluded from the Assembly almost immediately because Russia was allied with Germany. Their exclusion meant the final collapse of the ‘Popular Front’ coalition that had become increasingly divided over relations with Hitler’s Germany. The defeat of France within six weeks in May–June 1940 led to the resignation of Prime Minister Reynaud. He was replaced by 84-year-old Marshall Pétain, hero of the First World War. On 10 July 1940 the Third Republic was formally dissolved when the Deputies voted to extend ‘full powers’ to Pétain and establish a new constitution.1 Pétain declared himself ‘leader (chef) of the French State’, rather than President of the French Republic, signifying the change of regime. ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’ was replaced by ‘Work, Family, Fatherland.’ This government made its headquarters in the town of Vichy, in the centre of France, and became known as the Vichy government.