France and the Origins of the Second World War (The Making of the Twentieth Century)

France's drift into world war and subsequent collapse have often been attributed to her level of confidence; either too much or too little. This book contends that these two moods were not mutually exclusive, that they co-existed throughout the interwar years, sustained by competing visions of the republic and of the best way to ensure national security. Young first describes the tensions within French interwar diplomacy as well as the interpretive tensions which have characterised the scholarly debate over the past fifty years. Subsequent chapters explore the roots of the national ambivalence: diplomatic and military, political and ideological, economic and psychological. In the end, we are left with the author's explanation of how France entered the second World War, and why she collapsed so quickly.

france's Drift Into World War And Subsequent Collapse Have Often Been Attributed To Her Level Of Confidence; Either Too Much Or Too Little. This Book Contends That These Two Moods Were Not Mutually Exclusive, That They Co-existed Throughout The Interwar Years, Sustained By Competing Visions Of The Republic And Of The Best Way To Ensure National Security.

Early chapters describe the tensions within French interwar foreign policy, as well as the ensuing historiographical tensions among scholars intent on interpreting the French experience. Subsequent chapters explore tensions in defence and economic policies, domestic politics and ideological allegiance, public attitudes and opinion.