Why did France get occupation zones in Germany and Austria, despite sitting out of most of World War II?
It always pisses off Poles, how French got a position of being a 4th most contributing nation in war against Hitler.Apart of that I believe there is a man behind all of success in the end and after war. The man of who I am big fan of. Sneaky Charles or Charles de Gaulle was his name.What happend?France losed war of 1940 on really bad style. National hero Petain announced capitulation. Many losed hope. Then the voice from London, voice of rising star of French politics, voice of hope appeared... and created Free France. Charles de Gaulle. He was ambitious but things wasn't worked well at the start. Most colonies remain under control of Petain clique. People didn't trust him. War didn't went well for allies in 1940, but much changed when USA joined war in 1941.A symbol of Free FranceRoosevelt didn't liked him. In fact he wanted to replace him for other general (Giraud) who has better contact with Americans. Conflict started when American began Operation Torch. In the end allies realises that De Gaulle thanks to charisma, common soldier popularity and power of personality in occupied French territory was a true symbol of Free France.A mastermindDe Gaulle remembered his allies betrayal. He knew that his interest weren't same like as his closest allies, so he turned things around and started extensive contact with Soviets. At the same time Western allies started to be concern about Soviet might.France had communist traditions in politics. De Gaulle played this card of fear of communism for allies while do other way around while talking to Soviet. He had great contact with Russians.Allies weren't dumb and decided to act. They offered De Gaulle taking part of safeguarding Germany after war to remove threat of De Gaulle on Soviet side.OutcomeThat did work out only slightly. France pursued tactics of Independence from USA. France develop atomic by themselves and decide to leave NATO. He was still considered as friend of "eastern bloc". He even visited communist Poland in 1967. One of biggest roundabouts in Warsaw has his name. De Gaulle wasn't fan of Americans until his death in 1970, but even though France emerge as one of most powerful country in the world.
Where can i get great information on the Holocaust?
In need to know some info. to do my English Project. I want to know what happend and why it happend. And i want to know what lead up to all the happend at the holocaust.