Which of the following statements is correct about the Vichy Government?

The statement that the Vichy Government was a provisional capital of unoccupied France from 1940 to 1942 is accurate. After France's defeat in World War II, the country was divided into occupied and unoccupied zones. The Vichy regime, led by Marshal Philippe Pétain, established its government in the unoccupied zone, which operated from the city of Vichy. This government claimed to represent France while collaborating with Nazi Germany, but it was not recognized as a legitimate continuation of the French Republic.

Understanding the context of the Vichy Government's role during this period is crucial. While the government did collaborate with the Germans and operated under significant German influence, it was ostensibly attempting to maintain some degree of French sovereignty. The Vichy Government did exist primarily in a zone that was not directly occupied by Nazi forces, thus making the designation of a provisional capital fitting for the time frame indicated.