To what extent did the French Resistance assist in the allies liberation of France?

Anti-Semitism changed the French perspective of Jews before and after the Vel d’Hiv Roundup in July 1942, because this Roundup was the first time the French government explicitly targeted foreign and French Jews alike without pressure from German occupiers. The French government explicitly designed and carried out the Vel d’Hiv Roundup where they collected all of the Jews in Paris, France on their own accord and sent them to concentration camps to be exterminated. While holding in scope two years prior, 1940-1, and one year, 1943, following the Roundup, the changing perspective in Paris, France, of mutual obliviousness to sympathy, is evident by the analysis of anti-Semitic legislature, the influence of German occupation, and the leading operations of the French government. The changing perspectives in Paris show that a majority of society will follow their government (without rebelling) until this influence affects society as a whole, and alters the way of life. The government and societal viewpoint of Jews transformed together, but arrived at opposing conclusions – anti-Semitism and pro-Semitism respectively. This transformation became definitive after the Vel d’Hiv Roundup in Paris on July 16-17, 1942. This claim holds relevance to current knowledge and culture by providing an example of profound importance on the influence of governmental actions and its own societal standpoint in connection with world issues. In respect to this claim direct governmental actions

“Was German ‘Eliminationist Anti-Semitism” Responsible for the Holocaust?” is a fascinating and somewhat discouraging debate that explores the question of whether German anti-Semitism, instilled within citizens outside of the Nazi Party, played a vast role in the extermination of Jews during the Holocaust . Daniel Jonah Goldhagen, author of “The Paradigm Challenged,” believes that it did; and argues quite convincingly that ordinary German citizens were duplicitous either by their actions or inactions due to the deep-seeded nature of anti-Semitic sentiment in the country. On the other hand, Christopher R. Browning, who has extensively researched the Holocaust, argues that the arguments of Goldhagen leaves out significant dynamics which were prevalent throughout most of Western and Eastern Europe during this period of history.

France had a general distrust of Germany. There was a great fear that if more serious measures to stop Germany were not made then the next generation would be seeking a war of revenge. The French public opinion earnestly desired a just peace, and would not take up arms again until compelled by a clear threat.3 This pacifism played an extremely important role in French policy. "Whether from ignorance or misunderstanding, many of the French people were apathetic, or just did not care enough to want action."4 The people were divided into two forces, the Left and Right, the Right favoring

The external thread of foreign armies on French soil and the internal threat to the french revolutionary government , which

The popular front led by Leon Blum, was the socialist government from 1936 which put in place the ‘Matignon Agreement’. Several developments established during the period of governing such as raising wages, and introducing the forty hour working week (James, 2003, p.124). Although they had in a sense united workers and employers, the adverse consequences resulted in a radicalised nation, with strong policing on tax evasion, and the reforms were substantially expensive (James, 2003, pp.124-125). Politically, the poor stability of the French economy didn’t allow Blum and his party to enforce their power across Europe. With the German economy recovering rapidly, and the vast military production, France simply didn’t have the resources to match up to the threat posed upon them (James, 2003, p.125).

In 1940, was a big time to quite a bit of French people if you talking about pride. Alot of the citizens and more people believed they let the people down. Then they decided to approve Vichy Government by the creation of Nazi. Mainly in the southern part of the country not as must as the northern half, is where there was more proof that politicians had let down France. The French Resistance helped the Allies alot with their intelligence, way to plan things out and ability to escape("History of the French Resistance - the Alliance Reseau, Maquis, FTP and

As seen in the document many were protesting against all immigration, especially Jewish refugees. People just wanted self - preservation and to try and save the Christian religion and their French culture.

On the 6th of June 1944, Operation Overlord began to free France from the Nazi German army. The invasion and liberation of France from Nazi Germany was a pivotal battle in the Second World War. This stems primarily from the extensive use of the Field Artillery throughout the battle. Many of the tactics and equipment used during the largest amphibious assault in history, are directly related to the current American artillery arsenal and how the United States uses that weaponry on the battlefield today.

Whereas, claimed, “Austria and Prussia were monarchies and both were afraid that the revolution might spread to their countries, hence sent a 80,000- man army into France.” (Doc. C). Furthermore, the outsiders wanted to destroy this revolution springing for rights of man and fairer treatment, thus the radical killings through the Pro-Revolutionary people helped push back the tides from the armies attempting to eradicate them. Additionally, a counterrevolution was arising just the same within the French borders since stated, “People here fiercely fought against the military draft called the levee en masse and against laws,” which made purpose of the keepers of the revolution to unite and briefly display an essence of

Throughout the book “Au Revoir Les Enfants” Louis Malle highlights at several points the typical associations which the majority of people have when discussing the role of the Germans during the war. However Malle approaches the topic from a more complex angle thus forcing the reader to question the general stereotypes and examine the varying attitudes of both the French and Germans, by portraying them in certain situations in which they adopt a sometimes unexpected attitude.

While this was going on in France, the army was trying to make France’s government better, but while doing it, the rights of the people were violated. From Louis XVI’s unfair treatment to the citizens, it caused them to revolt. Since the citizens did not agree with the authority, they were not treated right for speaking out. The rights they deserve were not given to them. For example, “People here fiercely fought against the military draft called levée en masse and against laws that tried to abolish Christianity in France.” (Doc C). They were not given the right for freedom of

In addition to the living conditions in the ghettos and camps, many differences in opinion led to hesitance to engage in resistance, particularly armed resistance. There was a great deal of collective responsibility involved with resistance- some believed that to act out was to endanger everyone in the group. Unfortunately, these worries were often founded in truth. In one instance, when a man protested the death of his brother by calling the SS member a murder, he was removed to prison, where he passed away; all of the other members of his group, who had witnessed the incident, were killed as well. By punishing the entire group for the rebellion of one, the SS helped to ensure that others would know the cost of resistance, and therefore be less inclined to resist themselves. Another instance of the idea of collective responsibility was seen in the Vilna ghetto- when fugitives escaped the ghetto, their families, as well all of the Jewish

As the Reign of Terror came into effect, triggering the most radical phase of the Revolution, Maximilien Robespierre was determined to reconstruct France as a new republican democracy. According to Robespierre, this system could only be achieved if every and all forms of resistance to the Republic were to be eradicated. He declared that anyone who did not support the revolution as radically as he did was a traitor, a threat to the country, and deserved to be executed.

The French patrols enforced this belief strongly, as they took away everything many citizens had, but just for Jews. For example, “In the German-controlled zone, Jews were stripped of their jobs, their freedom of movement became restricted, and many were arrested” (Berman). Germany began to create concentration camps and deporting Jews that they had control over. Soon after, Germany started to treat Northern France as a “dumping zone” for Jews. However various small groups were able to save hundreds of Jewish lives, mass murder still occurred throughout France. Many Jewish citizens knew that they were being put on the back burner as well, expressing, “Jews — who have been living in France for 2,000 years and have been full citizens since 1791 — now feel that they are looked upon as second-class citizens” (McAuley). Although split into two very different parts before Germany took over Vichy, France was one of the top three countries in all the countries helping Germany to kill the most Jews throughout the time of the Holocaust. Surrendering to Germany after, one thing France didn’t keep in mind was, “The important thing is that one should not become indifferent to the suffering of others, that one should not stand by and just raise one’s hands and say, “There’s nothing I can do, I’m just a little one person,” because I think what everyone of us does matters” (“Why”). After realizing how powerful Germany could be, France began to collaborate with Germany and their full anti-Semitism

Rebel or Murder! Have you ever wondered who was the first person to fight for the freedom of France.