Did France have colonies during world war 2 and if so what were they and how did they react during the war if not was France trying to get colonies?

Answer 1

Yes France had colonies during World War 2. Some of the colonies joined the Vichy Free French and some joined the axis forces (via the Vichy Free French). Most of the French Colonies chose to go against France once the Nazis took over France and the Vichy Free French was formed. They allied themselves with the Allied Forces instead.

The colonies were French-Indochina (Viet Nam - allied with the Allied Forces);

Chad, French Congo and Gabon (went with the Free French)

Guadeloupe, Martinique of the West Indies and French Guiana joined the Free French in 1943

Syria, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco were under Vichy French control until the Allied Forces liberated them, then they allied with the Allied Forces.

French Polynesia joined the Vichy French right away

French North Africa, French West Africa and French Equatorial Africa allied themselves with the Free French Forces under General Charles De Gaulle and they fought with the Allied forces against the Germans.