The idea of what it is to be French changed throughout the early 20th century. Under the third republic government many techniques were used to, in essence, create Frenchmen who shared the same goals and ideals as the rest of this country. If the country was unified with the goal of bettering France, the country would be strong. This changed when the depression hit and France became a caldron of competing radical ideas which divided the country. When war broke out only a few years later the country was put on hold and it wasn't till after the war that French society fought through many divisions to once again try to regain a sense of French Identity. This period in history saw change of epic proportion and greatly affected how the French saw themselves.
[...] The French identity at the beginning of Vichy was of nationalism. The idea of nationalism seen during the Third Republic years was trying to be implemented once again by Petain. He changed France's national motto to work, family, and country to instill values that would make France great once again. Petain attended schools preaching what it meant to be French and the idea of creating Frenchmen once again arose. After the turbulent depression and now the occupation, French Identity was crucial. [...]
[...] The French identity was made of many different ideas for bettering the country and themselves. The only thing that many of the French shared in was their distaste for the leaders of their government. The French identity of this time was of resistance and revolt for better living. This was a time for social change and that's why many French took part in these strikes and revolts. Change was the agenda of the time, change in political parties, change in ideas and change in work policy. [...]
[...] French Identity started in the classroom so to grow boys and girls to Frenchmen and Frenchwomen. Before this France was a country of dialects and differences but the new generation shared a common experience and with it was more unified than any generation before. Whether you were born in Paris or the country you were learning the same values and this is very important because of past conflicts like the Paris commune. Now there is no room in France for in fighting, there is only the country and one experience in which they all shared and are equal upon. [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
