Vichy dans la "Solution finale" : histoire du commissariat général aux questions juives (1941-1944)

The CGQJ was created in March 1941 by Admiral Darlan at the request of the Germans. Having initially played a prominent role, under Xavier Vallat, in the elaboration of the anti-Jewish legislation targeting mainly French Jews, the CGQJ was gradually marginalized by the Vichy government and reduced to an executor of measures aimed to purge French society and economy of Jews. Emphasizes tensions between the CGQJ and the Vichy government, which focused its repression on foreign Jews and negotiated their deportation directly with the Nazis. Relates disagreements between the German authorities, Vichy, and the CGQJ, as well as differences in their antisemitic logic. Although politically marginalized as of summer 1942, the CGQJ, now headed by Darquier de Pellepoix, maintained a decisive role in the persecution of the Jews due to the permanence and autonomy of its administration. Explores the frame of mind, motivations, and work methods of the CGQJ's 2,500 agents, and especially the 180 men (and some women), who acted as managers. Deals with the liquidation of the CGQJ in 1944 and the punishments meted out to its leaders after the liberation. Great clemency was shown to the executioners of the despoilment of Jewish property and the managers of the "status des personnes" section. The court focused on treason as the crime, not on antisemitism. Includes bibliographical references (pages 929-988) and index. 1014 pages : illustrations, map ; 24 cm