Collapse of the Third Republic: An Inquiry into the Fall of France in 1940

s/t: An Inquiry into the Fall of France in 1940<br/>On 6/17/40 Shirer stood in the streets of Paris watching the flow of gray German uniforms along its boulevards. In just 6 lovely weeks in the spring and summer of 1940 a single battle defeated one of the world's oldest, greatest & most civilized powers—the 2nd mightiest empire on earth & the possessor of one of the finest military machines. How did it happen? After nearly a decade of research in the archives left from WWII & after hundreds of conversations with the 3rd Republic’s leaders, generals, diplomats & ordinary citizens, he presents the definitive answer in his recreation of why & how France fell before Hitler. His book is also a devastating examination of the confusion, corruption & cynicism that drained the strength & toughness of a democracy which Jefferson called "every man's 2nd country." This book complements & completes the dramatic story of The Rise & Fall of the Third Reich.<br/>Foreword<br/>Prologue<br/>Debacle! summer 1940<br/>1: The rise of the Third Republic, 1871-1919<br/>A freakish birth & early growing pains 1871-91<br/>The Dreyfus affair 1894-1906<br/>The consolidation of the Republic 1880-1914<br/>Classes & conflict 1875-1914<br/>The permanent political crisis 1875-1914<br/>The achievements of the Third Republic 1875-1914<br/>The coming of the first world war 1905-14<br/>The Third Republic's finest hour 1914-18<br/>2: Illusions & realities of victory, 1919-34<br/>Victorious France: "the greatest power in Europe" 1919-31<br/>Decline 1: political & financial chaos, & the Poincaré recovery 1924-30<br/>Decline 2: the erosion of military power 1925-34<br/>Decline 3: the world depression shakes the Third Republic 1931-34<br/>3: The last years of the Republic, 1934-39<br/>A fateful turning point February 6, 1934<br/>Aftermath: widening of the gulf 1934-36<br/>Coup in the Rhineland: the last chance to stop Hitler & avert a major war March 1936<br/>France further divided, the front populaire & the Spanish Civil War 1936-37<br/>Dissension & disarray: France & the anschluss March 1938<br/>The road to Munich 1: April 27-September 13, 1938<br/>The road to Munich 2: September 15-28, 1938<br/>The conference at Munich September 29-30, 1938<br/>The turn of Poland 1939<br/>A summer's interlude in Paris May-July 1939<br/>The talks with Russia Summer 1939<br/>The launching of World War II September 1-3, 1939<br/>Book Four: The war & the defeat, 1939-40<br/>La Dróle de Guerre September 3, 1939-April 9, 1940<br/>On the eve: the war in Norway, the threat to Belgium & the crisis in Paris Spring 1940<br/>The battle of France 1: The armies close in May 10-15, 1940<br/>The battle of France 2: disaster at Sedan, the breakthrough at the Meuse May 13-16, 1940<br/>The battle of France 3: disaster in Flanders & the surrender of Belgium May 16-June 4, 1940 The fall of Paris June 5-14, 1940<br/>The flight to Bordeaux June 11-14, 1940<br/>The agony of Bordeaux, the fall of Reynaud, Pétain takes over June 14-16, 1940<br/>Armistice! June 17-29, 1940<br/>5: The collapse of the Third Republic<br/>The end at Vichy June-July 1940<br/>Epilogue<br/>Notes<br/>Acknowledgments<br/>Bibliography<br/>Index