Freemasonry in France during the Nazi occupation and its rehabilitation after the end of the Second World War
This thesis examines the involvement of the French Freemason movement in the Resistance during the Occupation of France by the Germans 1939-1945, its relationship with the Vichy government and the effect the 'Nouvelle RĂ©volution' had on the lives of individual Masons. To set the scene and to put the role of Freemasonry into perspective in the life of France and the French political system, the origins of French Freemasonry are examined and explained. The main French Masonic obediences are discussed and the differences between them emphasised. The particular attributes of a Freemason are described and the ideals and ethos of the Order is discussed. From its earliest days, Freemasonry has often been persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church or by extreme Right-wing movements. The history of this persecution is reviewed and the reasons for its persistence noted, with especial emphasis on the treatment of Freemasons under the fascist regimes of Italy and Germany. The fate of Freemasonry in countries under German control is also briefly examined. With the occupation of France by the Germans, the differences and similarities of the treatment of French and German Freemasons are discussed. The processes and legislation
Doney, Keith
WW2; German Occupation; Vichy; Resistance
Freemasonry in France during the Nazi occupation and its rehabilitation after the end of the Second World War. This thesis examines the involvement of the French Freemason movement in the Resistance during the Occupation of France by the Germans 1939-1945, its relationship with the Vichy government and the effect the 'Nouvelle RĂ©volution' had on the lives of individual Masons. To set the scene and to put the role of Freemasonry into perspective in the life of France and the French political system, the origins of French Freemasonry are examined and explained. The main French Masonic obediences are discussed and the differences between them emphasised. The particular attributes of a Freemason are described and the ideals and ethos of the Order is discussed. From its earliest days, Freemasonry has often been persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church or by extreme Right-wing movements. The history of this persecution is reviewed and the reasons for its persistence noted, with especial emphasis on the treatment of Freemasons under the fascist regimes of Italy and Germany. The fate of Freemasonry in countries under German control is also briefly examined. With the occupation of France by the Germans, the differences and similarities of the treatment of French and German Freemasons are discussed. The processes and legislation
freemasonry france nazi occupation rehabilitation end_second_world_war examine involvement french movement resistance occupation france germans relationship government effect life individual set_scene put role freemasonry perspective life france french political_system origins french freemasonry examine explain main french obedience discuss difference emphasise particular attribute describe ideal ethos order discuss freemasonry often persecute roman_catholic_church extreme right_wing movement history persecution review reason persistence note especial emphasis treatment fascist regime italy germany fate freemasonry country german control also_briefly examine occupation france germans difference_similarity treatment french_german discuss process legislation