The Maginot Line

The Maginot Line was a defensive barrier built by France along its eastern border before World War II. Consisting of underground tunnels, fortresses, and heavy artillery, it was designed to prevent or slow a German invasion. Despite its impressive construction, the line was circumvented or bypassed by German forces through Belgium in 1940, rendering it largely ineffective. The Maginot Line exemplifies how reliance on static defenses can be a strategic vulnerability when opponents adapt and find alternative routes.