The Maginot LineThe Maginot Line

Elizabeth Allan-ColeElizabeth Allan-ColeBridgette GrossBridgette GrossCorrina ChowCorrina ChowSusan ChenSusan Chen

The Maginot Line

What was the Maginot What was the Maginot Line?Line?

A continuous stationary fortification that A continuous stationary fortification that covered the entire Franco-German covered the entire Franco-German frontier.frontier.

It was a defensive maneuver by France It was a defensive maneuver by France to keep the German’s outto keep the German’s out

A permanent subterranean fortificationsA permanent subterranean fortifications-barracks, mess halls, -barracks, mess halls,

ammunition dumps, and even movie ammunition dumps, and even movie theatres. theatres.

The Purpose of the The Purpose of the Maginot LineMaginot Line

France’s way of defending themselves France’s way of defending themselves from Germany after the war.from Germany after the war.

It was brilliant in conception and It was brilliant in conception and effective in practiceeffective in practice

It was costly, but it was to produce a It was costly, but it was to produce a feeling of security throughout Francefeeling of security throughout France

France had to leave the Rhineland, France had to leave the Rhineland, which their occupation of the Rhineland which their occupation of the Rhineland was keeping the German’s from was keeping the German’s from meddling in the affairs of France and meddling in the affairs of France and their alliestheir allies

The Failure of the The Failure of the Maginot LineMaginot Line

There were two gaps- (one of them was minor There were two gaps- (one of them was minor and didn’t really matter), The other was and didn’t really matter), The other was Belgium.Belgium.

If the French were to isolate Belgium with If the French were to isolate Belgium with forts, then they would be blocking their allies forts, then they would be blocking their allies (Belgium is one of the allies)(Belgium is one of the allies)

France believed that Belgium would come to France believed that Belgium would come to them for aid if Germany were to try to enter them for aid if Germany were to try to enter through Belgium to get to Francethrough Belgium to get to France

What really happened was Germany did go What really happened was Germany did go through Belgium, but Belgium did not have a through Belgium, but Belgium did not have a chance to ask for help. Germany was able to chance to ask for help. Germany was able to invade France. Because of the large gap, the invade France. Because of the large gap, the Maginot line failedMaginot line failed

There were other similar attempts like the There were other similar attempts like the Maginot line in eastern Europe, but they had Maginot line in eastern Europe, but they had issues as wellissues as well