Jean-Pierre Azéma, a prominent historian renowned for his critical examination of France's collaboration with Nazi Germany during World War II, passed away on July 14 in Paris at the age of 87. His death was confirmed by Sciences Po, the prestigious institution where he dedicated over 35 years to academia.
Azéma’s work was pivotal in deconstructing the comforting postwar narratives that many in France held regarding the Vichy regime, which collaborated with the Nazis rather than offering meaningful resistance. One of his most notable contributions was the 1979 book “De Munich à la Libération, 1938-1944,” which he later translated in 1984 as “From Munich to the Liberation.” In this work, he criticized the government of Marshal Philippe Pétain, labeling it as a “phony regime” characterized by moral elitism and a narrow-minded nationalism.
His scholarly pursuits helped unveil the various factions within Vichy, including die-hard supporters of Pétain and opportunistic collaborators. Azéma's research fundamentally altered public perceptions, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of this difficult chapter in French history. His writings gained significant readership in France, even surpassing those of his colleague, Columbia historian Robert O. Paxton, whose work played a crucial role in igniting the revisionist wave alongside Azéma's contributions.
