Philippe Pétain, who served as the chief of the Vichy government during the German occupation of France in World War II, was charged with high treason in the aftermath of the war. His administration collaborated with Nazi Germany, leading to the implementation of various policies that suppressed resistance and facilitated the persecution of Jews and other groups. The legal proceedings began in France as part of the broader effort to address the ramifications of wartime collaboration and to deliver justice to those who had worked with the occupiers. The trial was held at the Palace of Justice in Paris, where Pétain's actions during the occupation were scrutinized under the new provisional government. The trial included witnesses from both sides and aimed to depict Pétain’s role and intentions during the turbulent period. This legal action signified a larger understanding in France of the need for accountability and reconciliation following a devastating conflict.