Execution of French Prime Minister who sent kids to Nazi camps: Pierre Laval

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Pierre Laval’s legacy remains one of the most controversial in French history. Once a respected socialist and prime minister, Laval transitioned into one of the most infamous collaborators of Nazi Germany during World War II. Following France’s defeat in 1940, he emerged as a central figure in the newly formed Vichy regime, believing collaboration with Hitler’s Germany could secure France’s future in a Nazi-dominated Europe. As Prime Minister under Marshal Pétain, Laval endorsed and implemented policies that aligned France with the occupying German forces. His cooperation included the forced deportation of tens of thousands of Jews, including children, to extermination camps such as Auschwitz. Under his leadership, the Vichy government also supplied French laborers to work in Nazi Germany, intensified suppression of the Resistance, and aligned its political objectives with the German war effort. Laval’s calculated pragmatism and rhetoric—such as his infamous 1942 broadcast expressing hope for a German victory to prevent Bolshevism—fueled public outrage. Despite being briefly dismissed from office, he returned with even greater authority in 1942 and deepened France’s complicity in Nazi crimes. His decisions contributed to the deaths of over 77,000 Jews from French territory. After the liberation of France, Laval fled but was captured and returned for trial. In October 1945, he was sentenced to death for treason and collaboration. Despite a failed suicide attempt, Laval was executed by firing squad, his final words being “Vive la France.” Laval’s political journey—from socialist idealist to architect of collaboration—represents a cautionary tale of ambition, ideological surrender, and moral compromise during one of Europe’s darkest chapters. Join World History channel and get access to benefits: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKKy_pNKZBX4KcCct8505HA/join Disclaimer: All opinions and comments below are from members of the public and do not reflect the views of World History channel. We do not accept promoting violence or hatred against individuals or groups based on attributes such as: race, nationality, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation. World History has right to review the comments and delete them if they are deemed inappropriate. ► CLICK the SUBSCRIBE button for more interesting clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKKy_pNKZBX4KcCct8505HA/?sub_confirmation=1 #PierreLaval #WWII #ww2 #nazi #history #documentary #europe #Nazicollaborator #French #france #paris #WorldWarTwo #MilitaryHistory #HistoryDocumentary #worldwartwohistory #traitor #collaborators #warcrime #warcriminals #warstories #wardocumentaries #politician #primeminister #laval #abyssinia #mussolini #vichy Pierre Laval biography, Pierre Laval death, French collaborators in World War II, Nazi occupation of France, Nazi collaborators explained, French collaborators in World War II, Nazi occupation of France, Nazi collaborators explained, French collaborators, French collaborators WW2, Collaborators in France WW2, France during WW2, Leader of France during WW2, France during WW2, World War 2 France , World War Two France, France World War 2, WW France, France in WW2, When did Germany invade France, Invasion of France, German occupation of France, Occupied France WW2, French Nazi collaborators, French collaborators, French collaboration, Collaboration in France, Vichy France, French collaborators WW2, Vichy regime France, Pierre Laval cause of death, Pierre Laval execution, Pierre Laval death, Pierre Laval and Charles de Gaulle, French surrender WW2, Why did France surrender to Germany, Unoccupied France, Vichy French government