Vichy aux Colonies. L'exportation des statuts des Juifs dans l'Empire

Abstract

The colonial structure offers an interesting example for analysis of the basic nature of anti-Semitism during Vichy State. In the assumption that the anti-Semitic ideology would not have been the basis of a cultural revolution and a scheme of purge, that it was mainly supposed to have been a means to please the German victor, or still that it would have been conceived out of France, we could have expected that it would not extend to the farthest colonies between 1940 and 1944. And yet, according to what is proved by the authors, the General Commission as well as the State Colonial Commission, as well as the Colonial Residents, made sure that the Vichy status was strictly enforced in the territories still “ loyal” to Petain – admittedly there were different assessments in different sectors. And what must be given consideration to is that it makes no sense to be so strict when the status concerned so few persons. Why and how could Vichy enforce an anti-Semitic status in Togo, where no Jew could be found ? Why and how state anti-Semitism was enforced in Indochina, a colony which remained loyal to the Marshal even after he was destitute ? The determination of the General Commission for Jewish affairs was well known in France. This article shows that the Government hunted down the Jews all over its colonial empire.