1940 French Oceanian referendum

none An unofficial referendum on whether to support the Free French or the Vichy régime was held in the French Oceanian islands of Moʼorea and Tahiti on 24 August 1940.Tahiti, 24. August 1940: Unterstützung von Vichy / Freies Frankreich Direct Democracy 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. Over 99% of voters supported backing Free France, with just 18 people voting in favour of the Vichy régime. Following the referendum, the pro-Vichy governor Frédéric Chastenet de Géry fr was forced to resign on 2 September. On the same day the Free French Committee formed the Provisional Council of Oceania to rule the island group, which was recognised by de Gaulle by a telegram sent from London.French Polynesia The World at War Peter Fraser, the Prime Minister of New Zealand also sent a telegram noting great satisfaction at the result."Oceania Votes For De Gaulle", The Times, 4 September 1940, p4, issue 48712 The new administration on the islands lifted the ban on British shipping, allowing imports of food."Various" The Times, 14 September 1940, p3, issue 48721 Only French citizens were eligible to vote in the referendum, meaning the overwhelming majority of the population on both islands was excluded from participation, including almost the entire native population. Results Free French Forces 5564 option2Vichy France 18 Direct Democracy References French Oceania Category:1940 in the French colonial empire Category:1940s in French Polynesia Category:Referendums in French Polynesia Category:French colonial empire in World War II French Oceanian referendum