Cagoule

Peter Storm vintage cagoule front

Peter Storm vintage cagoule rear full

Peter Storm vintage cagoule rear with bags

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Cagoule (from the French word cagoule, meaning "hood") is a term that can refer to a specific type of hood or headgear, or more historically, to a French political group known for its far-right activities in the 1930s. This article will focus on both aspects to provide a comprehensive understanding.

Cagoule as Headgear

The cagoule as an item of clothing is a type of balaclava or ski mask that covers most of the face and neck. It is typically made from wool or cotton and is designed to protect the wearer from cold weather. The cagoule is popular in outdoor activities such as skiing, mountaineering, and hiking due to its functionality in providing warmth and protection from the elements. In some regions, the term "cagoule" may also refer to a lightweight, waterproof raincoat or anorak, further emphasizing its association with outdoor and protective wear.

Cagoule as a Political Group

The Cagoule, officially known as the Comité secret d'action révolutionnaire (Secret Committee of Revolutionary Action), was a French far-right group active in the late 1930s. The group was also nicknamed the Cagoule because of its members' penchant for wearing hoods during covert activities, including sabotage and assassination attempts. The Cagoule was founded by Eugène Deloncle and had connections to various conservative and nationalist factions within France, including elements within the French military and industrial sectors.

The Cagoule's ideology was anti-communist, anti-parliamentarian, and ultra-nationalist, opposing the French Third Republic's democratic government and seeking to replace it with a corporatist authoritarian regime. The group was responsible for several violent acts, including bombings and plots to overthrow the government, which ultimately led to its exposure and suppression by French authorities in 1937.

Despite its brief existence, the Cagoule had a lasting impact on French politics, contributing to the atmosphere of tension and polarization that characterized the late Third Republic. Its members and sympathizers would later play roles in Vichy France and other collaborationist activities during World War II.

Legacy

The legacy of the Cagoule as a political group is a subject of historical interest and debate. It is often cited as an example of the extreme political movements that emerged in Europe between the World Wars, reflecting the volatile social and political conditions of the time. The group's activities and ideology have been studied in the context of the rise of fascism and authoritarianism in Europe.

See Also

• French Third Republic
• Fascism
• Vichy France
• World War II in Europe