An unofficial referendum on whether to support the Free French or the Vichy regime was held in the French Oceanian islands of Mo'orea and Tahiti on 24 August 1940.[1] The referendum was held following a call from Charles de Gaulle to oppose the Vichy government on 18 June, and was organised by the underground Free France Committee.[1]
Over 99% of voters supported backing the Free French Forces, with just 18 people voting in favour of the Vichy regime. Following the referendum, the pro-Vichy governor Frédéric Marie Jean Baptiste Chastenet de Géry was forced to resign on 2 September.[1] On the same day the Free France Committee formed the Provisional Council of Oceania to rule the island group, which was recognised by De Gaulle by a telegram sent from London.[2] Peter Fraser, the Prime Minister of New Zealand also sent a telegram noting great satisfaction at the result.[3] The new administration on the islands lifted the ban on British shipping, allowing imports of food.[4]
Results[edit]
Choice | Votes | % |
---|---|---|
Free French Forces | 5,564 | 99.68 |
Vichy France | 18 | 0.32 |
Total | 5,582 | 100 |
Source: Direct Democracy |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Tahiti, 24. August 1940 : Unterstützung von Vichy / Freies Frankreich Direct Democracy
- ^ French Polynesia The World at War
- ^ "Oceania Votes For De Gaulle", The Times, 4 September 1940, p4, issue 48712
- ^ "Various" The Times, 14 September 1940, p3, issue 48721