The war had cost it dearly—in blood and money. In the immediate aftermath it was forced to spend $4 billion on reconstructing the liberated territories. Still unreconciled to its enormous sacrifices, the French government refused to raise taxes to pay for this, stubbornly clinging to the illusion that the costs would eventually be recouped from Germany. “Les Boches paieront” “The Krauts will pay”—was the refrain.
