"Nous collaborons avec vous"; we collaborate with you

The Vichy government was established after France was invaded by Germany. This government was under the power of Philippe Pétain. At the time this was happening face was divided into occupied and unoccupied zones. Northern and western France also including the Atlantic coast were occupied by Germany. The other parts of France were occupied by the Vichy government. This time the tables were turned, France had an armistice. During this time the French government had to agree to turn in any Jews to the Germans. France’s army had been reduced to about 100,000 men the rest of the French army had to be surrendered to be prisoners of war. They had also instructed their citizens to not be against the Germans and the members of their armed forces could not leave the country. Finally the last part of the armistice included France’s of covering Germany’s occupation cost. Although the Vichy government was collaborating with Germany it did not stop the Vichy government from killing German spies that had entered the territory under the Vichy government. Soon Germany wanted to occupy all of France when realizing that “free” France was in northern Africa, together with the allies. The Vichy government was dissolved after Germany succeeded in taking over all of France. Even thought the government was longer, they still had power in France. After their liberation the Vichy government was not very popular to say. France had reacted with a wave of anger. This wave of anger resulted in the capturing, executions and humiliations of many Vichy government members. Yes they had their punishment but they shouldn’t have been let off the hook that easily. The members of this groups should have been tried and sentenced to something worse. They did not just deserve being let off so quickly with the death sentence. They did try to do what was best for French citizens but they could have tried harder. In the long run they didn’t. The members could have gone to jail for the rest of their life’s which some did. Or simply could have been exiled to other places out side of France. They were ultimately excused, it was historical but this shouldn’t have happened and therefore they [The Vichy government] were a bad event in France’s history.