Following France's rapid defeat by Nazi Germany in June 1940, the country was divided into occupied and unoccupied zones. The government of France was restructured, leading to the establishment of the Vichy regime, which was officially a French government but was heavily influenced by German demands. Marshal Philippe Pétain, a World War I hero, became the leader of this new government, which shifted the nation’s policies towards authoritarianism and nationalism. The regime enacted numerous laws that not only collaborated with Nazi policies but also promoted a reactionary agenda that targeted Jews and other marginalized groups.

The city of Vichy was chosen as the seat of the government due to its location in the unoccupied zone, providing a semblance of independence from the Germans. During its existence, the Vichy government attempted to present itself as a legitimate and sovereign entity. However, its collaboration with the Nazis led to widespread criticism and resistance from various factions within France, including the Free French Forces led by Charles de Gaulle.

The Vichy government remained in power until the liberation of France in 1944, when it disintegrated and Pétain was arrested for treason. The legacy of the Vichy regime remains contentious in French history, as it grappled with collaborationist policies and its role during one of the darkest periods of the nation’s history.