The Construction of Memories of World War II in France After 1945
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World War II, France, Memories, History, Identity, Resistance, Collaboration, Anti-Semitism
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Abstract
This document explores the historical context of World War II in France, examining the construction of memories since 1945. It delves into the inauguration of the Memorial of the Fighting France, the symbolism of the Unknown Soldier, and the representation of different categories of combatants. The author highlights the tension between the positive image of France as a resister and the reality of collaboration and anti-Semitism. This exercise of memory is a means of honoring the dead and learning from the past, but it can also be connoted to a positive symbol of France, potentially silencing uncomfortable truths.
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[...] However, this exercise of memory is connoted to a positive symbol of France, the fighter and the resister face to the enemy. But the reality is quite different, and one can wonder if this exercise of memory is not silently censored in order not to tarnish the image of France, in order not to associate it with facts of collaboration and anti-Semitism, mEven if these have been largely proven. Memory is therefore entirely part of our identity by the force of the infrastructures and initiatives put in place. [...]
[...] The first edition of Vichy and the Jews, where anti-Semitic facts remained only hypothetical, is a good example. The second edition of this work will therefore be more complete and supposedly closer to reality. Finally, the exercise of memory of the First and Second World War is deeply rooted in the customs through the different monuments, the ceremonies of homage, etc. Individuals have the duty to remember these facts in order not to forget the past events in order not to reproduce them and to honor the dead. [...]
[...] In fact, from June thanks to the political will of General Charles de Gaulle, as well as the numerous associations of relatives of the victims, this place paid tribute to the 'massacred and executed' and became a strong symbol of memory. Gradually, the Mont-Valérien fortress will take shape, mainly thanks to the progress of Mr. Henri Frenay, Minister of Prisoners, Deportees and Refugees, who will draw inspiration from the powerful symbol of the Unknown Soldier of World War I (1914-1918), adapting it to the particularities of this second war. In fact, this time, Mr. Frenay thinks that the different categories of combatants will have to be represented (resistance fighters, deportees, prisoners, men of France and overseas . [...]
[...] This site of memory is also a means of honoring the dead for their country who have contributed to the history of France. Our duty is to respect their memories by remembering. However, can we attest to the truthfulness of these symbols of memory, are they reliable testimonies of the truth and history? It is through the second document that we will answer this question. Indeed, during an interview with the magazine Télérama on October Robert Paxton explains why he decided to reissue his 1981 book: « Vichy and the Jews. [...]
[...] This call became a powerful symbol of the refusal of defeat and a powerful call for cohesion and resistance. This date will become a true symbol and that's why it will be followed to pay tribute to the Fighting France at the foot of the Memorial of France, we will indeed find engraved an inscription extracted from this call of June 18th: « Whatever happens, the flame of resistance will not be extinguished. Also, we can see that the work of memory is deeply rooted and is illustrated through such examples. [...]
