VICHY GOVERNMENT
The new government in Vichy led by Pétain were trying to cease fire with the Germans. De Gaulle would
have to decide what was better for France; backing the new government, or betraying the new government in
order to save France’s honor. This was difficult for him. “I felt within myself, a life coming to an end, the life
I had lived within the frame-work of a solid France and an indivisible army.” He decided to go to London. He
was declared a traitor, and if caught, he would be killed (Banfield 36). The United States recognized the
Vichy France as the official government of France. They distrusted de Gaulle and the Free French Forces for
fear that he might become a dictator (Bigelow 4). When Vichy had begun to meet with Hitler to talk about a
military partnership,(Banfield 42-43), and gave in to the German demands for money, food, arresting and
deporting the Jews, and labor workers, many young men became active members of the Free French Forces.
German soldiers would kill 50 civilians if a German soldier turned up dead. This happened twice, sparking an
outrage in France, compelling people to join de Gaulle’s cause (Bigelow 5-8). “By the end of 1940, Free
French troops outside France numbered 40,000, and the number of those in France who secretly carried
cards marked with the Cross of Lorraine was growing daily.” -Banfield
have to decide what was better for France; backing the new government, or betraying the new government in
order to save France’s honor. This was difficult for him. “I felt within myself, a life coming to an end, the life
I had lived within the frame-work of a solid France and an indivisible army.” He decided to go to London. He
was declared a traitor, and if caught, he would be killed (Banfield 36). The United States recognized the
Vichy France as the official government of France. They distrusted de Gaulle and the Free French Forces for
fear that he might become a dictator (Bigelow 4). When Vichy had begun to meet with Hitler to talk about a
military partnership,(Banfield 42-43), and gave in to the German demands for money, food, arresting and
deporting the Jews, and labor workers, many young men became active members of the Free French Forces.
German soldiers would kill 50 civilians if a German soldier turned up dead. This happened twice, sparking an
outrage in France, compelling people to join de Gaulle’s cause (Bigelow 5-8). “By the end of 1940, Free
French troops outside France numbered 40,000, and the number of those in France who secretly carried
cards marked with the Cross of Lorraine was growing daily.” -Banfield