I.4. Le maréchal Pétain et la « question juive »
Did Marshal Pétain protect French Jews between 1940 and 1944, or did he help enforce the Final Solution in France? It is important to examine the opinions, choices, and policies of Philippe Pétain instead of simply settling for ideological answers. Prior to the war, Pétain exhibited anti-Semitic bel...
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| Natura: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Lingua: | Français |
| Pubblicazione: |
2020
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| Accesso online: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Riassunto: | Did Marshal Pétain protect French Jews between 1940 and 1944, or did he help enforce the Final Solution in France? It is important to examine the opinions, choices, and policies of Philippe Pétain instead of simply settling for ideological answers. Prior to the war, Pétain exhibited anti-Semitic beliefs, which was typical of the French in the 19th century. While he was not overly aggressive, he was clearly prejudiced against Jews. The xenophobic aspect of his anti-Semitic attitudes can be seen in the laws his government passed starting in the summer of 1940. Pétain first helped implement the Jewish Statute of October 1940, then took steps to further endanger Jews in the country. He was never fully satisfied with France’s anti-Jewish legislation, which he deemed not sufficiently targeted or effective. By enforcing German anti-Semitic ordinances, Pétain sought to keep control of the country while still demonstrating his willingness to collaborate with Germany. Ultimately, however, he began to feel overwhelmed by the situation. While he did not adhere to the Nazi’s criminally racist attitudes, he refused to acknowledge its specificity. Out of blindness and selfishness, Pétain insisted on framing Jewish persecution as a type of collateral damage that could not be avoided in war. |
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