Jean-Pierre Azéma, an influential French historian known for scrutinizing France's collaboration with Nazi Germany during World War II, passed away on July 14 in Paris. He was 87 years old. His death was confirmed by the Institut d’Études Politiques, commonly referred to as Sciences Po, where he dedicated over three decades of his career.
Born into a family linked to pro-Nazi sentiments, Azéma emerged as a key figure in re-evaluating the past, particularly through his extensive research and writings that began in the 1970s. He was part of a cadre of historians who dismantled the comforting myths surrounding the Vichy regime, which had positioned itself as one that did its utmost to safeguard the French populace and resist German occupation.
Azéma's standout work, “De Munich à la Libération, 1938-1944,” published in 1979 and later translated into English, characterized the Vichy government led by Marshal Philippe Pétain as a "phony regime." He condemned it for its moral pretensions, anti-democratic elitism, and inward nationalism. His critical approach dissected the various factions within Vichy, challenging the narrative that had traditionally been upheld in French society.
With sales surpassing many contemporary historical works, Azéma's analyses became pivotal in sparking a broader revisionist movement, complementing the efforts of his peers, including renowned historian Robert O. Paxton. His contributions remain an essential part of the discourse surrounding France’s difficult wartime legacy and the need for historical accountability.
