French collaboration with the Germans during WWII?

Question

I know some people that went through a lot during that time, but I just saw something in a movie....albeit probably fiction, based on historical fact...that really bothered me. I am wondering if anyone was aware that when the French Government collaborated with the occupying forces from Germany they actually checked their own citizens ethnic history to see if they were technically jewish according to their standards....if their grandparents were jewish it made them 1/4 jew and they were turned over to the Germans. This makes me sick.....what pansies in my opinion. I used to make jokes in defense of our soldiers that the French need to shut up because all their men did was hide in cupboards while their women and little girls were left to deal with the German invaders......now I am pissed and I didn't even know their own government did that.

you know I knew some things....never really understood how they could give in....but this just has me floored! Why didn't we go after the french govt for what they did?

Answer 1

Hi WitchTwo,
I am also French and ashamed of what happened in my country. As regards the ethnic history check, it sounds unfortunately logical if you collaborate with your foe, but I don't know if it is perfectly true.
As of Stringray answer, he completely forgot the "résistance", the "France libre" and De Gaulle, thus making a dangerous confusion. Note that he uses the present in his sentence, so he estimates that people of the current generation are responsible for the errors of their grandfathers. This is something he must not be proud of...
French died to protect jews and to free their country. Was their sacrifice useless? Isn't it something worth?
Be sure that people who collaborated with the Germans were hated in the years following the end of WWII.
The French alone have got enough to deal with these deeds of the past. And it's hard to hear/read stupid jokes on that topic (like on this website) when I think of the French who fought and died to free our country.
It is a great lack of respect. But don't be mistaken: I am grateful that the Americans helped us. Who knows what would have happened if they didn't help us.

Answer 2

You are judging the past by the standards of the present. That is pretty well the biggest mistake that anybody can make when studying history. You have to (1) really imagine what it would have been like to be there, and (2) really believe you had grown up between 1900 and 1940 and absorbed all the obviously naturally correct thinking which was going on around you. If you can do that, you will begin to understand history. But if all you can say is "oh, look, they betrayed Jews, bad bad bad" then it turns you off and stops you learning anything else useful from that period.

And the farther back in history you go, the more things you find which are horrible to us, but were normal and natural and RIGHT to the people of those times. Think of America - and of the whole world - before slavery was abolished. Lots of important other things still happened, and slavery was part of some of them, so you can't let it switch you off.

Answer 3

Depends what you mean by the french government. The government in exile supported the french resistance and the allies those that stayed behind and supported the nazi occupation did indeed round up jews andb others the nazis found undesirable. Some of them no doubt through fear or cowardice but sadly some did so enthusiastlcally without any prompting from the Nazis. If it's any comfort they were called to account after the war. Their Leader Pierre Laval was executed as were many others.

Answer 4

Hello Witch2, I'm french and I'm not sure whether or not the French governement did check the origin of french citizens but I know that during that war most of the people in France just waited the end of the war. There was a small minority who actively collaborated with the nazis and a small minority who were resistance fighters. But I think that might be possible; those who collaborated were quite officious (?) in order to be well treated by the nazis..! It's sad, isn't it ? Unfortunately every country has its period of shame...But keep in mind that some french people died during that time to protect jewish people (I'm thinking of Jean Moulin, but there are many others...).
Voila, I hope you understood me (my english is not very good (!) !

Answer 5

Your sentiments are laudable but you really need to check your facts about this issue.

1. most of the "Resistance" were French men.
2. The idea of the French Nation State was not as strongly ingrained as one might expect. Areas around the French / German borders had passed back and forth after wars for many years.
3. People will do what they think they need to do to survive.

Answer 6

The French government that collaborated with the Germans was called the Vichy governement - so named because it was based in Vichy in southern France - & was led by Field Marshal Henri Petain.

There's another government-in-exile that was led by General Charles de Gaulle who became the President after France was liberated.

Answer 7

well also remember that this was also america's fault as well. before the war a boat load of jewish set sailed to cuba from germany. but cuba did not want them and turned them away. then they headed to american and again they were turned away. the only countries that would let them in were france and england. in believe that france did that because they were under german control and if they didn't germany would have just put their own men on their government. most likely the government officials did it to save their own skin and their jobs. one french general did get into trouble for working with the germans. so some of the french government did get into trouble for working with the germans.

Answer 8

Much like Spain when they rolled over and withdrew from the war on terrorism. They have been beaten in to submission - and it will come to haunt them. The French were no different. ME first.
Just think how far your own circle of protection would go. I would die for my family - my child - in fact any child that was under my care say in a school or club setting. The further out of my immediate circle the less likely I would be to jump into Niagara Falls to rescue someone. And if I thought I could save my immediate circle by sacrificing some other group then I could convince myself that the other group would just have to take care of themselves. Unfortunately it is human nature. It is why we need leaders with moral standing and conviction to do what is right not just for the nation but for ALL its people.

Answer 9

an abominable action; but remember ALL the occupied country governments did the same thing, since the first thing the Germans did was get rid of any independent government and replaced it with their own puppets.

Look at Serbia; they managed to kill or deport for killing something like 90% of their Jewish population.

Answer 10

In my opinion, the so called men of the French race, are a disgrace, to the human race. Not anyone of them would make a wart on a real man's a s s.

Congratulations, you done seen the light sweetheart,

Darryl S.