Maginot Line
The Maginot line was a line of defensive fortifications constructed by the French along their eastern border, extending from Switzerland to Luxembourg, between 1929 and 1936. In World War II, although the defenses held, the Germans outflanked them, going through Belgium to conquer France. The French planned to cripple Germany economically as they demanded severe reparations. As a result they built a gigantic fortification along the border of France and Germany in an attempt to gain a defensive position, but the wall proved to be ineffective as the Germans attacked from behind through the Ardennes forest. The fortifications gave the french a false sense of security, as they believed it was safe on all sides, but France was left open to be captured by Germany.
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- Wanted reparation money
- French also intended to cripple Germany
- Desired a defensive position on France
- Plans to build a massive fortification along French/German border
- Puts a false sense of security into the French
- The wall was ineffective as the Germans attacked from behind
- Eventually captured France through the Ardennes forest