The Abrupt Failure of the French in World War II

In the duration of the time between World War I and World War II, France was under internal discord and suffered from economic depression. However, the main factor that led to the quick defeat of France was the hesitancy and failure of passive solutions created by the French government.

Germany's march into the Rhineland on March 7, 1936 was the first sign of weakness from the French. A notable consequence to the quick surrender of the Rhineland was the apathy displayed by the French. This was knowledge that would later prove to be very valuable to Hitler.

A major division between the French Left and Right was also a great consequence of the invasion in the Rhineland. The French Left was in approval of a peace-pact and trusted Hitler's peace promise. The French Right, however, was in favor of, if not war, at least the threat of war and agreed with Hitler's suppression of the liberals and radicals. This split of the common Frenchman and the apathy of the entire country were key factors to the failure of the war to come.

The French government played an important role by making the alliance with Russia in 1935, because Russia would not act to save Sudentenland unless France made the first move. Timing was everything and France's hesitancy proved to be crucial. The hesitancy of the French came from the assistance of their ally, Britain. France would not progress without the British with them. Britain, unsure of the French military power, refrained from war and sought out a peace plan with Hitler. At Munich on September 29, 1938, it was decided that Germany could proceed the occupancy of particular regions in Czechoslovakia.

Another passive solution that was invented by the French was the Maginot Line. At the time France entered the war, the French Army had 30 infantry divisions (14 in North Africa, 9 on the Alpine front, 7 on the Western Front, and a few mountain troops on the Spanish frontier). Not only was there a shortage of man power, but the French mobilization was no faster than it was in 1914. It took a total of 3 weeks for full mobilization. By adding the Maginot Line, the French now had a total of 57 divisions (52 infantry, three cavalry, and two light mechanized divisions). This Line was created to counterbalance France's inferior military in the event of armed conflict with Germany. The problem with the Maginot Line was that it was too short and the Germans were able to attack around the line.

It should be pointed out, however, that these points are not all of the reasons for French failure in World War II. Among other reasons, economic depression also played a role in the quick defeat of France.

Because of internal dissension between the French Left and French Right, conflict retaliated to hesitancy. French attempts for defense and peace ended in failure because of Hitler's great aggression. Both military and mental weaknesses led to the ultimate failure of the French early in World War II.