World War II led to the collapse of the Third Republic, which was replaced by Vichy France in July 1940. The new reactionary regime sought to remake the inhabitants into obedient subjects. Political dissent was banned. The nascent cult of Marshal Pétain impacted the lives of even the youngest. Muslim men and women proclaimed their allegiance to the state in highly ritualized public performances.
The colonial authorities started to implement anti-Jewish race laws by late 1940. As a result, many Jewish professionals lost the ability to exercise their jobs and Jewish students were automatically ex-matriculated. While typhoid fever was spreading quickly across the region, hundreds of Jewish doctors had to close their clinics. Algerian Jews lost their French citizenship.
Meanwhile, the economic situation became increasingly dire. Despite a strict rationing system, the state could not provide enough food, clothing, and other necessities of daily life to the general population.