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As a result of WWII, France was left fragmented culturally, ideologically, politically and left militarily weak until joining NATO. As we already know, France fought a civil war as Vichy against Free French forces. After the German invasion of USSR in 1941, France cuddled to the Soviet Union. After the war, socialism was still strong in France. Part of it was because of undoubtful influence of the Red Army, even if indirect. Part of it was the fear that in case the government is hostile to the Soviet Union, they might just overrun France (Germans are stronger than French, Russians are stronger than Germans therefore Russians are stronger than French). Charles de Gaul even wanted the Americans out of Europe--no doubtful that one of the reasons was the fear of the conflict with USSR. On the other hand, joining NATO and EC meant that France would try to pay a lip service to democracies. France tried to be the middle ground between the East and West in the Cold War because of its weak showing in WWII--they couldn't even defend themselves, how would they face one of the 2 opposing blocks in full force?! My argument goes further--just as French were militarily weaker than their British and German counterparts, so is France economically weaker than these 2 countries in present day. It seems as if France never really recovered.

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18y ago

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