Wikipedia
This is a credible website because it is a .org, it has been updated recently, and it has working hyperlinks.
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United States Holocaust MuseumThis is credible website because it is a .org, you can contact the author, and it is copyrighted.
The Washington Post |
This is a credible website even though it is a .com because it has an author you can contact, it has been updated recently, and it has cited information.
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My Findings:
"During World War II, Germany overran much of Europe using a new tactic called the "Blitzkrieg" (lightning war). Blitzkrieg involved the massing of planes, tanks, and artillery. These forces would break through enemy defenses along a narrow front. Air power prevented the enemy from closing the breach. German forces encircled opposing troops, forcing them to surrender" (USHM). Nazi Germany's new military tactics made them an unstoppable force which is why they were able to take France in 40 days time. This "Lightning war" was very deadly and effective. Using this tactic, Nazi Germany was able to take Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Yugoslavia, and Greece.
“Even today, the French endeavor both to remember and to find ways to forget their country’s trials during World War II; their ambivalence stems from the cunning and original arrangement they devised with the Nazis, which was approved by Hitler and assented to by Philipe Petain, the recently appointed head of the Third Republic, that had ended the Battle of France in June of 1940. This treaty — known by all as the Armistice — had entangled France and the French in a web of cooperation, resistance, accommodation, and, later, of defensiveness, forgetfulness, and guilt from which they are still trying to escape" (WASHINGTONPOST). France's legacy in World War II still haunts the country to this day. France was unable to stop Nazi Germany from taking over their daily way of life. Occupied France was very different from independent France. There was an overwhelming sense of hatred for the Nazis by the France. "On 22 June, an armistice was signed between France and Germany, which resulted in a division of France whereby Germany would occupy the north and west, Italy would control a small Italian occupation zone in the southeast, and an unoccupied zone, the zone libre, would be governed by the newly formed Vichy government led by Marshal Pétain"(WIKIPEDIA). France became a playground for the Axis Powers.
Blitzkrieg is what I believe to be the main reason why Nazi Germany was able to take France in just 40 days. France was not prepared for the constant bombardment that Nazi Germany put it through. This tactic of warfare worked multiple times for Nazi Germany. France became no different than Poland in a sense. Hitler wanted France and Hitler got France.
“Even today, the French endeavor to both remember and to find ways to forget their country’s trials during World War II…” (2). Not only were the French taken over by the Nazis in just forty days they also suffered being occupied for three years. This is a part of French history that is often seen as the time the “City of Light” or Paris, went black. “The Nazi occupation was a terrible time for Paris, not just because the Nazis were there but because Paris itself was complicit in its own humiliation” (2). Parisians are very proud people and they love their city. France and Germany were known for their constant conflict and taking of land throughout history. Nazi Germany being able to take Paris for the Germans was extremely embarrassing and defeating for the French. “France was a place not of peace but of widespread hatred and violence” (2). The French did not want to take the Nazis occupying their land lying down. They felt no need to be on their best behavior while Germans got to claim Paris as their own. “Paris did resist the Nazis, but the effects were limited” (2). They did not have enough supplies of their own to overthrow the Nazis in Paris without help from their follow Allies. Britain and the United States were off fighting a World War so it didn't seem likely that they would be freeing occupied France anytime soon. It is embarrassing for the French people that they weren't able to help themselves more during the time that they were occupied by Nazi Germany. Their battle for their land was more than just those forty days. It continued into the time in which Paris was occupied.
“Even today, the French endeavor both to remember and to find ways to forget their country’s trials during World War II; their ambivalence stems from the cunning and original arrangement they devised with the Nazis, which was approved by Hitler and assented to by Philipe Petain, the recently appointed head of the Third Republic, that had ended the Battle of France in June of 1940. This treaty — known by all as the Armistice — had entangled France and the French in a web of cooperation, resistance, accommodation, and, later, of defensiveness, forgetfulness, and guilt from which they are still trying to escape" (WASHINGTONPOST). France's legacy in World War II still haunts the country to this day. France was unable to stop Nazi Germany from taking over their daily way of life. Occupied France was very different from independent France. There was an overwhelming sense of hatred for the Nazis by the France. "On 22 June, an armistice was signed between France and Germany, which resulted in a division of France whereby Germany would occupy the north and west, Italy would control a small Italian occupation zone in the southeast, and an unoccupied zone, the zone libre, would be governed by the newly formed Vichy government led by Marshal Pétain"(WIKIPEDIA). France became a playground for the Axis Powers.
Blitzkrieg is what I believe to be the main reason why Nazi Germany was able to take France in just 40 days. France was not prepared for the constant bombardment that Nazi Germany put it through. This tactic of warfare worked multiple times for Nazi Germany. France became no different than Poland in a sense. Hitler wanted France and Hitler got France.
“Even today, the French endeavor to both remember and to find ways to forget their country’s trials during World War II…” (2). Not only were the French taken over by the Nazis in just forty days they also suffered being occupied for three years. This is a part of French history that is often seen as the time the “City of Light” or Paris, went black. “The Nazi occupation was a terrible time for Paris, not just because the Nazis were there but because Paris itself was complicit in its own humiliation” (2). Parisians are very proud people and they love their city. France and Germany were known for their constant conflict and taking of land throughout history. Nazi Germany being able to take Paris for the Germans was extremely embarrassing and defeating for the French. “France was a place not of peace but of widespread hatred and violence” (2). The French did not want to take the Nazis occupying their land lying down. They felt no need to be on their best behavior while Germans got to claim Paris as their own. “Paris did resist the Nazis, but the effects were limited” (2). They did not have enough supplies of their own to overthrow the Nazis in Paris without help from their follow Allies. Britain and the United States were off fighting a World War so it didn't seem likely that they would be freeing occupied France anytime soon. It is embarrassing for the French people that they weren't able to help themselves more during the time that they were occupied by Nazi Germany. Their battle for their land was more than just those forty days. It continued into the time in which Paris was occupied.