Unlike the enthusiastic Italian leader, Gaston Doumergue, the twelfth president of the Third French Republic, is extremely sad at the moment.
He took office after the failure of France's invasion of Germany's Ruhr and inherited a mess in France's declining economy.
This action was not worth the loss, not only did it not demonstrate the power of France as expected, but it also reflected the tenacity of the Germans. At the same time, France did not receive the reparations owed by Germany, but instead lost a large amount of military expenditures.
France's "large-scale offensive faction" was completely suppressed, and all documents calling for an increase in military spending were rejected. Doumergue had to save military spending to maintain the stability of the domestic economy.
Just when Doumergue had finally stabilized his economy and was about to consider increasing military spending, another problem arose with Germany's supposed payment of reparations.
This time, Germany did not default on its debts. Instead, it paid off all its previous arrears. However, the Germans paid in Marks, which were like waste paper. Almost everyone in Germany began to conduct transactions in the new currency Nuuk.
Who said that Germans are rigid and stubborn and don’t know how to adapt? How can the Germans in front of me still look even remotely rigid?!
This group of German officials who were serious about paying reparations before seem to have changed their appearance now. One or two people are still shamelessly guaranteeing that the mark is still the German currency. The Nuuk issued as a commemorative coin is just the "first
"Second currency" will not shake the status of the mark.
Doumergue had almost no ability to refute the suddenly enlightened Germans. Because the Germans were indeed right, the mark was still their currency, but now tens of millions of marks could not even buy a toothpick.
rise.
Full of grief, Doumergue submitted an application to the League of Nations, asking Germany to pay Newk's reparations to France instead. However, the application was rejected by Britain, the United States and other countries on the grounds that it was reasonable and reasonable for Germany to pay the Mark reparations in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles. Germany did not pay France instead.
Newk's obligations.
In addition, Doumergue also heard that Britain and the United States reached a consensus with German President Gustav and provided Germany with another loan of more than 70 million US dollars.
Britain and the United States, two countries that also pursued balance of power on the European continent, simultaneously chose to support the weak Germany and confront France, which had the "first army in Europe".
"Europe's No. 1 Army", this empty title that the French boasted about themselves, in the end did not play any role other than arousing the vigilance of Britain and the United States.
Unable to receive compensation, the country's economy continued to decline. Gallic France, which had always been proud, could only condemn Germany and let it go in despair.
Doumergue had no way to increase military expenditures. He could only spend his limited military expenditures in the most critical places. Doumergue chose to boldly activate the proposer of the Maginot Line - General Maginot.
This move further accelerated the construction of the Maginot Line. The French government allocated more than 50% of its limited military expenditures for the construction of the defense line. For this reason, many of the French military's military exercises and weapons research and development projects were funded by military expenditures.
Nervous and on hold.
But it's all worth it! Both French and political circles agree and believe that the construction of the Maginot Line is their pride. This largest engineering project in Europe has brought city building technology to the extreme!
Such a strong defense line completely cuts off the possibility of the enemy outflanking, and a breakthrough can only be achieved at a heavy cost. The French army can mobilize as many troops as possible while using a small number of troops to defend the defense line.
The reserve team attacks the invading enemy. This is almost a perfect military idea!
Although a colonel named de Gaulle proposed that money should be spent on mobile defense equipment, such as more and better aircraft and more armored divisions, instead of throwing money into the ground.
However, the words of this loser who participated in the Ruhr Battle are naturally without weight.
In Doumergue's view, if they had not been beaten to a disgrace by the Germans when they jointly marched with Belgium into the Ruhr, causing the Belgian government to regain its fear of Germany, the current Belgian government would not strictly maintain neutrality and oppose the Franco-Belgian border.
Build the Maginot Line.
But this is not all bad. The French government itself is strapped for funds to build the Maginot Line. It can save funds for the construction of a defense line of more than 60 kilometers on the French-Belgian border, and it can also make the French government much easier.
Furthermore, the Ardennes Forest area on the border between France and Belgium is considered by the French General Staff to be a safe and reliable natural barrier. Moreover, the French General Staff believes that their ally Belgium itself is a good strategic buffer zone for France, at least.
Give France eight days to organize its defenses.
Of course, these conclusions are based on the infantry traveling speed summarized in World War I. The French General Staff did not consider the existence of mobile troops.
In addition, the hegemony in Eastern Europe established by France after World War I was also snatched away by passionate Italian leaders. French brothers in the Balkans, such as Romania and Yugoslavia, all changed their affiliations and followed Italy, which was supported by Britain.
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France, a powerful country for a generation, was controlled everywhere by Britain, its ruthless former ally, and it seemed extremely tragic for a while.
Fortunately, there is a traditional ally, Poland, which has been in the same camp as France so far. Otherwise, France, the most powerful country in Europe, would be completely alone.
Fortunately, the Treaty of Versailles became more relaxed day by day due to the British's instigation. As a result, France did not get much money, but the hatred between Germany and Germany was full. Once Germany rises, France will definitely be the first to retaliate.
Attacking Germany is still a dream in the mirror, and France, which is extremely sad, can only calmly repair its Maginot Line.
Of course, it is sad to be sad. As president, Doumergue still tried his best to strive for a better strategic environment for France.
Therefore, Doumergue made the same choice as Chang Chengtian, that is, proactively contact the dangerous Soviet Union.
Not to mention that Dumeige’s contact with the Soviet Union was late and that of Chang Cheng-Tian. Even if he secretly established contact with the Soviet Union, it was impossible to reach any effective agreement.
Asking the Soviet Union to give up cooperation with Germany? What a joke!
First, Doumergue currently has no knowledge of Soviet-German cooperation.
Second, it was impossible for the Soviet Union to give up the exchange of interests and cooperation it had finally established with Germany.
The only way Doumergue could break through was to ask the Soviet Union to send troops to sneak attack Germany's rear when Germany and France were at war in the future.
But this was a fantasy and an impossible request at the time.
Because there is one problem that cannot be avoided, Poland!
The Soviet Union and Germany did not border on each other, and there was Poland in the middle. If the Soviet Union wanted to attack Germany, Poland must allow the Soviet army to pass through Polish territory.
Poland and Russia have had a feud for more than two hundred years, and it almost hates Russia with gnashing teeth. Hence Poland’s philosophical answer later: “If we get close to Germany, we will lose our freedom. If we get close to the Soviet Union, we will lose our souls.”
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Sacrificing its traditional ally Poland for an unreliable Soviet Union is obviously unacceptable to the French government.
Therefore, the tragic France finally chose to ignore it and concentrate on building its Maginot Line.
