Penser/agir : l'engagement de Marc Bloch (alias Narbonne) dans la Résistance | ENS-PSL

The presentation offers a rigorous and nuanced analysis of Marc Bloch’s engagement in the French Resistance, based on a careful examination of available sources. Cécile Vast, a specialist in the history of the Resistance, demonstrates a deep knowledge of the subject and skillfully navigates the complexities of Bloch’s trajectory. She avoids hagiography, instead presenting a human portrait that includes doubts, hesitations, and the gradual process of commitment. The argumentation is solid, grounded in archival evidence, correspondence, and testimonies, while acknowledging the limitations of the sources. The talk is well-structured, moving from Bloch’s pre-war reflections to his clandestine activities, and it effectively highlights the interplay between his intellectual work and his practical engagement. The critical perspective is particularly valuable: Vast challenges the notion of ‘resistant of the first hour’ and emphasizes the importance of understanding the diverse temporalities of commitment. She also addresses the methodological challenges of studying clandestine activities, noting the scarcity of reflective writings by Bloch on his resistance experience. The presentation would benefit from more explicit engagement with historiographical debates, but it remains a high-quality scholarly contribution. The title accurately reflects the content, and the talk is accessible to an academic audience. Overall, this is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Marc Bloch, the Resistance, or the relationship between intellectuals and political engagement.

The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on Marc Bloch's engagement in the Resistance and the interplay between thought and action.

8/10

The presentation is given by a historian (Cécile Vast) specializing in the Resistance, based on archival sources and testimonies. The content is well-structured and historically grounded, though it is an oral presentation without peer review.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction by the session chair, presenting Cécile Vast.
• 01:00Vast begins her talk, emphasizing that Bloch's resistance is a reality, not a myth.
• 03:00Discussion of Bloch's pre-war reflections on social utility and his mobilization in 1939.
• 07:00Analysis of Bloch's experience of the 1940 defeat and his initial reactions.
• 10:00Exploration of Bloch's exclusion under Vichy's anti-Semitic laws and his reintegration.
• 15:00Discussion of Bloch's entry into resistance, including his pseudonyms and learning clandestinity.
• 20:00Vast examines Bloch's contributions to the clandestine press and his role in intelligence networks.
• 25:00Discussion of Bloch's arrest, imprisonment, and execution in 1944.
• 30:00Conclusion: Vast reflects on the meaning of Bloch's engagement and the importance of remembering his sacrifice.

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• Marc Bloch, L'Étrange Défaite — Bloch's analysis of the French defeat, which informs his resistance engagement.
• Laurent Douzou, La Désobéissance — Work on the Resistance that aligns with Vast's approach to clandestinity.