Vichy France and the Holocaust

This lecture will explore the role that the French government had in the Holocaust during World War II. Known popularly as Vichy France, this semi-independent administration assisted the Nazi regime in the transportation and execution of tens of thousands of French citizens and refugees. Deep-seated antisemitism, Franco-German collaborationism, and domestic fascist movements all contributed to these French atrocities. Topics to be discussed will include a brief history of the Vichy regime, a background of some of the oppressive laws it enacted, and a detailing of some of the crimes that members of its government committed during the war. Dr. Thompkins is currently working on a book on the history of Vichy France.

With: Dr. Andrew Thompkins
Manhattan College
Learning Lecture Series