The Dark Years - Vichy France and Nazi Collaboration

Explore the complex history of Vichy France during World War II in this 51-minute lecture from Yale University's "France Since 1871" course. Examine the fall of France, the nature of collaboration under the Vichy regime, and the post-war struggle to confront this dark chapter in French history. Delve into the military capacities of France and Germany at the outbreak of war, the ideological foundations of right-wing politics in Vichy France, and the subsequent trials of collaborators. Analyze the gaps in national memory and the challenges in accurately portraying the roles of various groups in resistance and collaboration. Gain insights into the identities and motives of collaborators, and understand how this period has shaped French politics and society in the decades since World War II.