1st Edition

France and the Second World War Resistance, Occupation and Liberation

By Peter Davies Copyright 2001

    France and the Second World War is a concise introduction to a crucial and controversial period of French history - world war and occupation. During World War Two, France had the dramatic experience of occupation by the Germans and the legacy of this traumatic time has lived on until today, to the enduring fascination of historians and students.
    France and the Second World War provides a fresh and balanced insight into the events of this era of conflict, exploring the key themes of:
    * Occupation as a social, economic and political phenomenon
    * the Vichy regime and the politics of collaboration
    * the 'resistance', resistors and its ideology
    * the liberation
    * the legacy of the wartime period.

    Preface, Chronology of key events, Introduction: background and context, 1. Occupation: French and Germans, 2. Vichy and collaboration: from the National Revolution to Hitler’s revolution, 3. Resistance: internal and external, 4. Liberation: freedom, hope and relief, 5. Legacy: an era still alive, Evaluation: issues and themes, Notes, Bibliography, Index

    Biography

    Peter Davies is Lecturer in History at the University of Huddersfield. His books include The National Front in France (Routledge, 1999).

    'This book is most definitely worthy of a read and is more than worth the purchasing price.' - Leslie JR Obre, Scottish Association of Teachers of History - History Teaching Review