| |||||
| Capital | Vichy | ||||
| Largest city | Vichy | ||||
| Language official |
French (official) | ||||
| others | German | ||||
| Chief of State | name of head of state | ||||
| President of the Council | name of chief of government | ||||
| Area | 323,803 sq. km km² | ||||
| Population | 22,457,100 | ||||
| Independence | 1941 | ||||
| Currency | Franc | ||||
Vichy France is a weak German puppet state created during WW2. 20 million people live in Vichy France, giving it a moderate population. Vichy France is essentially controlled by Germany, with Germany choosing Vichy France's leaders and "influencing" them on what laws to put in act. Vichy France's economy is very poor, with many countries having to send aid to it to keep it alive. France is also constantly forcing down revolutions, with Germany's help.
History
Creation
Vichy France was, during WW2, ruled by a German official designated to watch the French people and to stop them from rebelling. When the war was won by the Axis powers in late 1942, Germany included in its re-organizing of Europe the making of a southern French state. In the period between 1945-1949, Vichy France enjoyed a period of economic boom and increased power, as many individuals fled other countries to try to find hope in the new French government and Germany sending large amounts of money to Vichy France to rebuild it. When Germany stopped giving France money, however, Vichy France could not finance its many extravagant projects it was working on, the French economy collapsed completely.
Revolts of 1976
Before the revolts of 1976, Vichy France's country was in ruin, with no money, no support, and no strong leadership, hundreds of thousands of French citizens took up arms against Vichy France and Germany. They marched on the palace of the Chief of State, burning it to the ground. The battle of Toulouse in July 1976 was the largest military confrontation of the revolution, with a few thousand French troops plus four dozen tanks were soundly defeated by a technologically inferior rebel army numbering 10,000, with no tanks or air support. within days, the small Vichy France army was destroyed, and Vichy was surrounded. Most of the rebels marched into German held territory, forcing the unprepared Germans back to Paris. Then the full might of the German army destroyed the rebel army, ending the rebellion. Germany turned on Vichy France with anger, placing them more under German control through a series of new laws.
1976-2010
Since the revolts of 1976, Vichy France has continued to suffer more and more. Only generous support from other countries has stopped it from collapsing. In 1995, Vichy France issued an act to rebuild the desperate Vichy France economy. So far this act has not done anything more than serve as a rallying point for the government. Many expect that Vichy France will not hold together much longer. Multiple tries at coups both in 1999 and in 2005 have both failed at creating a new French government. Currently the French forces are getting ready to put down another coup, learning from past experiences. The Economy Act of 2007 raised taxes significantly, especially for the small rich population of France. The economy has yet to rise, but its fall seems to be finally slowing down.
Economy
the Vichy France economy mainly consists of whatever the government is able to produce that year, with market prices and production varying greatly. Many French farmers grow crops just to support themselves and their families, with the excess production going to market to be sold. France exports small amounts of machinery and cars, although not enough to make much money. Vichy France imports almost all of the goods in the country, with the small amount left being produced in France.
Government
Vichy France is an Authoritarian state, meaning that one man, (the Chief of State) runs all of the French government. The French Chief of State is always greatly influenced by the Current German Führer and the German officials in Vichy France. The positions in the government are for show, not having any real power whatsoever. As a result of this, nationalism for the Vichy France government is at an all time low, and corruption is very high.
Military
Vichy France's military is one of the smallest in the world. A meager peacetime 200,000 troops make up the French army, with 500 tanks and 500 artillery. 100 planes is all the French air force can afford, and the men commanding them at best are strictly mediocre. Most French weapons and machines are German or Italian make, with very few French weapons in use, being so outdated. French training of military is lax, with not enough of the precious French money to spend on good instructors or training sources. The French military, especially since their series of defeats against the rebels in the revolutions of 1976, is often seen as a joke to many other countries.
International Relations
Vichy France is often seen as a burden in international relations, with a ruthless government determined to get the better deal, yet no power whatsoever. It is often an annoyance, still thinking it is a major nation yet needing constant help as to not collapse. Italy and Germany supply Vichy France with many resources, and Vichy France pays them back in treaties, breaking treaties with enemies, or giving up some land, making Vichy France even weaker.