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World conflicts: the Second World War (1939-1945) (3/3)
France is defeated by Germany. It signs the armistice with Germany in June 1940.
Key points of the sheet
- Alsace-Moselle is annexed by Germany. The North of France is attached to Belgium.
- The rest of France is cut into two zones by the demarcation line. The northern zone is occupied by Germany. The free zone, in the south, is led by the Vichy regime.
- The Vichy regime lasts from June 1940 to the end of the war, on 8 May 1945. It is an authoritarian and antisemitic regime that collaborates with Nazi Germany.
- This collaboration takes several forms: arrest and deportation of Jews, Compulsory Work Service (STO) and repression of resistance fighters.
- The Resistance is all the men and women who resist in secret after the defeat. From London, General de Gaulle calls for the fight to continue: this is the appeal of 18 June.
- In France, secret networks hand out leaflets, carry out sabotage and pass on information. In 1943, Jean Moulin creates the National Council of the Resistance (CNR).
- In 1944, the French Forces of the Interior (FFI) take part in the Liberation with the Allies. Paris is liberated in August 1944.
- Philippe Pétain is head of state from 1940 to 1944 and collaborates with Germany. At the Liberation, Charles de Gaulle becomes head of the Provisional Government.
Words to know
- armistice
- Defeated France signs the armistice with Germany in June 1940.
- demarcation line (ligne de démarcation)
- It cuts the rest of France into two large zones. These are the occupied northern zone and the free zone in the south.
- free zone (zone libre)
- It is the southern zone, led by Marshal Pétain's Vichy regime.
- Vichy regime (régime de Vichy)
- It is an authoritarian and antisemitic regime that collaborates with Nazi Germany.
- Compulsory Work Service (STO) (Service de travail obligatoire (STO))
- Under this scheme, the Vichy regime sends workers to Germany.
- the Resistance (Résistance)
- It is the men and women who resist in secret after the defeat of the French army.
- appeal of 18 June (appel du 18 juin)
- From London, General de Gaulle calls for the fight to continue.
- 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))
- In 1944, they take part in the Liberation alongside the Allies.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Who leads the "free zone" after the armistice?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui dirige la « zone libre » après l'armistice ?
The free zone, in the south, is led by Marshal Pétain's Vichy regime.
When does the Liberation of Paris take place?
In French, the language of the exam: Quand a lieu la Libération de Paris ?
The sheet gives the key date: Liberation of Paris in August 1944.
What does Jean Moulin create in 1943?
In French, the language of the exam: Que crée Jean Moulin en 1943 ?
In 1943, Jean Moulin unites the movements by creating the National Council of the Resistance (CNR).
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
More in this topic (World conflicts and the new world order)
- The Second World War (1939-1945): the consequences
- Rebuilding the world order: the construction of Europe
- Reshaping the world order: decolonisation
Source
Sheet “Les conflits mondiaux : la Seconde Guerre mondiale (1939-1945) (3/3)” 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.