the Maginot line
- Want Germany to be crippled
- Want reparation money
- Want a defensive position against Germany
- Build fortifications along French/German border
- Leads them into a false sense of security
Interesting Fact
The Maginot Line is used to recall a strategy or object that people hope will prove effective but instead fails miserably. It is also the best known symbol of the adage that "generals always fight the last war, especially if they have won it".
Quote
We could hardly dream of building a kind of Great Wall of France, which would in any case be far too costly. Instead we have foreseen powerful but flexible means of organizing defense, based on the dual principle of taking full advantage of the terrain and establishing a continuous line of fire everywhere.
—André Maginot, 10 December 1929
—André Maginot, 10 December 1929
Subjunctive Question
If they had finnished builiding the Maginot line, would have Germany still have tried to attack them?
Summary
After WWI France wanted Germany to be crippled and they wanted their reparation money. They had a very defensive position against Germany. Instead of France modernizing their warfare, they built fortifications along the French/German border. This gave them a false sense of security. In the long run, the wall was a waste of time and money becasue they did not finish it and Germany simply went around it through Belgium to attack.