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Focus on the Second World War: the Resistance and the Liberation
In June 1940, Germany defeats France. The armistice of 22 June 1940 marks the end of the Third Republic and the start of the Occupation.
Key points of the sheet
- The north is occupied directly by Germany. The south, the "free zone", is run by the Vichy regime of Marshal Pétain, which is authoritarian, represses opponents and collaborates with the occupier.
- The Resistance organises itself from 1940: on 18 June 1940, from London, General de Gaulle makes an appeal on the radio. Secret networks form, and in 1943 Jean Moulin unites them by creating the CNR.
- The FFI, the armed groups of the Resistance, help free the country with the Allies. In 1944, the liberation speeds up with the Allied landing in Normandy, with Resistance fighters too.
- Paris is freed in August 1944, then the rest of the country little by little. The war ends in Europe on 8 May 1945, and de Gaulle becomes head of the provisional government.
- From November 1942, the occupied zone is called "Zone Nord". It includes Paris, Bordeaux, Brest and the "Atlantic Wall", where entry is forbidden.
- From November 1942, the free zone is called "Zone Sud". It includes Vichy, the de facto seat of government, Lyon and Marseille.
- From November 1942 to September 1943, an Italian occupation zone includes Toulon, Ajaccio and Bastia. In the east, territories with Strasbourg are annexed to the Reich.
- A German settlement zone is closed: refugees are forbidden to return there. A demilitarised zone is 50 km wide; Lille and Dunkirk are under German military administration.
Words to know
- armistice
- The armistice of 22 June 1940 marks the end of the Third Republic.
- the Occupation
- It is the period that starts in 1940. Germany directly occupies the northern zone.
- Vichy regime (régime de Vichy)
- It is Marshal Pétain's regime in the southern zone. It collaborates with the German occupier.
- free zone (zone libre)
- It is the southern zone, run by the Vichy regime.
- surrender (capitulation)
- Capitulation means giving up. De Gaulle asks the French to refuse it.
- National Council of the Resistance (CNR) (Conseil National de la Résistance (CNR))
- Jean Moulin creates it in 1943 to unite the Resistance movements.
- French Forces of the Interior (FFI) (Forces Françaises de l’Intérieur (FFI))
- They are the armed groups of the Resistance. They take part in freeing the country with the Allies.
- demarcation line (Ligne de démarcation)
- It is the border between the free zone and the occupied zone.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Who creates the National Council of the Resistance in 1943?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui crée le Conseil National de la Résistance en 1943 ?
In 1943, Jean Moulin unites the Resistance movements by creating the CNR.
Who leads the Vichy regime?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui dirige le régime de Vichy ?
The southern zone is run by the Vichy regime of Marshal Pétain.
What are the French Forces of the Interior (FFI)?
In French, the language of the exam: Que sont les Forces Françaises de l’Intérieur (FFI) ?
The armed groups of the Resistance are called the French Forces of the Interior (FFI).
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- On what date does General de Gaulle make his call to resist?
- Which of these historical figures is French?
- Where does the Allied landing of 1944 take place?
- When was Paris liberated during the Second World War?
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Source
Sheet “Focus sur la Seconde Guerre mondiale - la Résistance et la Libération” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.