Marcel Déat

Marcel Déat was a French politician and thinker known for his controversial views during the interwar period and World War II. Initially a member of the French Socialist Party, he later became a key figure in the collaborationist regime established by the Nazis in France. His infamous question, 'Should we die for Danzig?' during the lead-up to World War II exemplified his belief that the sacrifices required to confront Hitler were unjustifiable. He ultimately sided with the Vichy government, which led to his post-war condemnation as a collaborator. Déat's legacy is often discussed in the context of the dangers of political expediency and the moral complexities of war.