Franco-German Armistice
Quick Summary
The Franco-German Armistice of June 22, 1940, concluded the Battle of France during World War II. This agreement divided France into two zones: one under direct German military occupation and another, comprising the southeastern two-fifths of the country, left under nominal French control. The occupied zone included all of northern France and the entire Atlantic coast down to the Pyrenees.1
Key terms of the armistice stipulated the neutralization of the French navy and air force, though they were not required to be surrendered. The French negotiators contested several German demands, including the establishment of an economic barrier between the zones, the handover of German refugees, and potential modifications to accommodate Italian claims. Italy, in turn, granted France relatively lenient terms, primarily demanding the demilitarization of specific fortified areas and naval bases. The French army was significantly reduced, and the nation was made responsible for the occupation costs incurred by the German army.12
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20th-century international relationsThe Western frontBut the armistice was signed at Compiègne, in the same railway car used for the German armistice of 1918, on June 22. The Germans occupied all of northern France and the west coast—60 percent of the country—and the rest was administered by Pétain’s quasi-Fascist collaborationist regime at…
Read MoreBut the armistice was signed at Compiègne, in the same railway car used for the German armistice of 1918, on June 22. The Germans occupied all of northern France and the west coast—60 percent of the country—and the rest was administered by Pétain’s quasi-Fascist collaborationist regime at…
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World War IIItaly’s entry into the war and the French Armistice…Armistice of 1918, the new Franco-German Armistice was signed. The Franco-Italian Armistice was signed on June 24. Both armistices came into effect early on June 25.
Read More…Armistice of 1918, the new Franco-German Armistice was signed. The Franco-Italian Armistice was signed on June 24. Both armistices came into effect early on June 25.
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Pierre Laval…in France and accept an armistice so that there would be a legal government in Paris that could negotiate advantageous terms and, perhaps, eventually a peace treaty. He was also responsible for persuading the Assembly to dissolve itself, thus ending the Third Republic on July 10, 1940, and for the…
Read More…in France and accept an armistice so that there would be a legal government in Paris that could negotiate advantageous terms and, perhaps, eventually a peace treaty. He was also responsible for persuading the Assembly to dissolve itself, thus ending the Third Republic on July 10, 1940, and for the…
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Philippe Pétain…of Verdun” asked for an armistice. After it was concluded, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, meeting in Vichy, conferred upon him almost absolute powers as “chief of state.”
Read More…of Verdun” asked for an armistice. After it was concluded, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, meeting in Vichy, conferred upon him almost absolute powers as “chief of state.”
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