Patriotic youths

The patriotic Jeunesses (JP) (1924-1936) were a Ligue of French extreme-right-hand side, considered as one of the components of the French Fascisme.

History

The JP against the Trust of the lefts (1924-1926).

Patriotic Youths were created in 1924 by the deputy Bonapartiste Pierre Taittinger within the framework of the old woman Ligue of the patriots of which they are detached in 1926. 1924 is a great year of agitation of the nationalist leagues in France in reaction to the electoral victory of the Cartel of the lefts but also of the whole of the forces of right-hand side as the foundation to it to the national republican Ligue by Alexandre Millerand testifies.

The JP have little depth ideological (they want extremely rather a mode than really fascistic) but play a big role in the history of the French extreme-right-hand side. First of all, from very many persons in charge of the extreme-right-hand side of years 1930-1940 pass, at least a time, in its rows. Then, copying the sections of the Italian Fascism, the JP plays the part of service of order for the other “national” parties, in particular for the meetings of candidates of the republican Fédération. Thus, the JP ensure the footbridge between part of the republican and parliamentary right-hand sides and the movements members of a league, the French Action or “nebula fascistoïde”. One lends 65.000 members in 1926 to him.

Second offensive of the JP (1932-1936).

With the return of the right-hand side to the capacity in the years 1926-1932, Pierre Taittinger decides, against the opinion of part of its base, to put its action between brackets. This tactic has an advantage for him: patriotic Youths are based in the political scene and survive thus discreetly until 1932.

Then their activity is started again by the electoral victory of the Bloc of the lefts in 1932. The JP take part in the street demonstrations in 1933 and 1934 and ligueuse agitation. It reaches a maximum of 100 000 members in 1934. Following the February 6th, 1934, it created with French Solidarity the National front which wants to be an organization of gathering of the leagues on the level of propaganda and action.

The JP are dissolved in December 1935 with the other nationalist leagues. Many members leave it then: Henri de Kerillis, Charles Trochu, Georges Scapini, Philippe Henriot, etc

Misadventures of the JP after the dissolution of the leagues (1936-1944).

The faithful ones to the JP transform into national and social Parti , then in national and social Republican party (PRNS) . This party takes part in the Front of freedom launched in May 1937 on the initiative of Jacques Doriot and sound French Popular party which is an attempt at bringing together of the “national” parties, to which subscribes the republican Fédération.

Personalities of the JP.

Pierre Taittinger, hope of the Bonapartism before 1914, appointed in 1919, president of the Union of youth Bonapartist of the Seine, then founder of patriotic Youths.
Jacques Schweizer, president of the JP. After 1940: chief of the Young people of new Europe, movement Collaborationniste.

Bibliography:

On patriotic Youths and its misadventures.

Jean Philippet, the time of the leagues. Pierre Taittinger and patriotic youths (1919-1944) , IEP Paris, thesis of doctorate of history under the direction of Raoul Girardet, 2730p + additional, March 2000.
Jean Philippet, “the crisis of the nationalist party (PRNS, successor of patriotic Youths) at the end of the Thirties”, p.79-93, Yearly of Brittany and the countries of the West , volume 109, n°3, 2002.