France Disinterest With War In The 1930s Analysis

France’s disinterest with war in the 1930s proved to be a major weakness in its political structure, implicating it in even more violence. France’s political system, characterized for its similarities to Athens, was clearly a reaction the country’s phobia of pugnacity. The culture and military decisions followed suit, erring on the side of pacifism, even when under the direct threat of violence from Germany. If France had been vocally willing to engage in violence if necessary, the impression it would have given to Germany would have been stronger, and could have prevented German invasion and violence. Weber describes the French response to the threat of war as being paralyzed. Essentially, France was so afraid of the repercussions of a war that they exuded all of the

France’s extreme fear of violence and war, coupled with its political mediocrity and culturally anemic time period, there was a great sense of emotional depression that swept throughout the country. This most likely exacerbate the already dismal circumstances of France, as it continued to propel the belief in a fear of violence, while also virtually ensuring that nothing would change. A country that lacked any self-belief would struggle far more to find a correct course of action. France’s sense of fear and depression simply continued to push it downward, where it lacked any ability to stabilize itself politically or prepare itself for the prospect of war with Germany. If instead, France had openly prepared for war, this alone may have improved the spirits of the French people. They would have known that they were not about to simply do nothing, awaiting Germany’s response. Instead, they would have a greater national pride to them and, more importantly, they would be prepared for war. The simple act of preparing for war may have been enough to convince Germany not to invade and attack the people