Nationalization
The Renault company is nationalized after accusations of collaboration during the occupation
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1945 in France
Explore 32 historical events and records for France in 1945.
Historical records for France in 1945
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 32 of 32 unique records.
32Unique records
1 of 1Page
28Named events on this page
17Named people on this page
8Places on this page
January
May
Result of Surrender of Axis Powers in Europe
The defeat of the Axis in Europe is publicly confirmed in France.
Surrender of Axis Powers in Europe
Makes the official announcement of victory over the Axis powers in Europe at 3 pm
VE Day
Makes the official announcement of victory over the Axis powers in Europe at 3 pm
Result of Surrender of Germany
Germany's final surrender instrument confirms the end of organised German resistance in Europe.
Surrender of Germany
Present when Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel signs the final German Instrument of Surrender entering into force at 23:01 Central European Time
July
Exile of Pierre Laval
Flown to Spain a few days before the German surrender, Franco has Laval arrested and turned over to the Americans in Austria who extradite him to the French authorities in July
August
Defence Rights Written into Tribunal Charter
The Charter requires a fair hearing and allows defendants to present evidence, call witnesses and challenge the prosecution case.
October
Treason
The Prime Minister of France is sentenced to death for high treason
Trial
The Prime Minister of France is sentenced to death for high treason
Death of Pierre Laval
Death of Pierre Laval, executed
Execution
Shot by a firing squad for high treason
Treason
Shot by a firing squad for high treason
December
Nationalization
Major deposit banks and the Banque de France are brought into public ownership
Other events (month unknown)
Allied Control Commission
Initial Member of Allied Control Commission over Germany
Being and Nothingness
Publication of "Roads to Freedom". Publication of "Being & Nothingness"
Children of Paradise
Directs Children of Paradise, a major French production completed during the wartime occupation.
Deputy
Appointed Deputy
Election
Elected Deputy for the Pas-de-Calais
French Ambassador to the Holy See
Maritain begins serving as French ambassador to the Holy See after the liberation of France.
High Commissioner
Appointed High Commissioner for Indo China to regain French control
Independence of France
September, rejects the Vietminhs demands for sovereignty
Independence of Vietnam
September, rejects the Vietminhs demands for sovereignty
Les Temps Modernes
Beauvoir becomes a founding editor of Les Temps Modernes.
Les Temps Modernes
Merleau-Ponty becomes a founding editor of Les Temps Modernes with Sartre and other postwar intellectuals.
Les Temps Modernes
Sartre helps establish Les Temps Modernes as a journal of engaged literature and politics.
Mayor
Appointed Mayor of Arras
Minister of State
Appointed Minister of State
Phenomenology of Perception
Merleau-Ponty publishes Phenomenology of Perception, his major analysis of embodiment and perceptual experience.
Reform of Electoral System
Women are given the vote
Roads to Freedom
Publication of "Roads to Freedom". Publication of "Being & Nothingness"
Rule of Saarland
The Saar is occupied by French troops & economically incorporated into France
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.