Charles de Gaulle resigns as President of France.

Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle, whose name is pronounced [ʃaʁl də ɡol] in French, was a towering figure in 20th-century French history, born on 22 November 1890 and passing away on 9 November 1970. His life was a remarkable journey from decorated army officer to the statesman who almost single-handedly rallied a nation in its darkest hour, ultimately shaping modern France as the founder of its Fifth Republic. His legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of French identity, symbolizing resilience, national pride, and a distinctive vision for France's role on the global stage.

A Soldier's Early Life and Visionary Ideas

Born into a cultured and deeply patriotic family in Lille, Charles de Gaulle pursued a military career from an early age, graduating from the prestigious Saint-Cyr military academy in 1912. His early service was marked by the brutal realities of the First World War, where he distinguished himself as a brave and capable officer. He was wounded multiple times and, famously, taken prisoner during the Battle of Verdun, an experience that undoubtedly forged his unwavering resolve. During the interwar period, de Gaulle became an articulate advocate for military modernization, particularly championing the use of mobile armoured divisions, a strategic vision that tragically went largely unheeded by the French high command until it was too late.

The Call to Resistance: Leading Free France

The German invasion of May 1940 plunged France into an existential crisis. De Gaulle, then a colonel, found himself leading an armoured division, courageously counterattacking the invaders despite overwhelming odds. His brief but impactful appointment as Undersecretary for War under Prime Minister Paul Reynaud placed him at the heart of the government's desperate struggle. However, when the government sought an armistice with Germany, de Gaulle, steadfast in his refusal to accept defeat, made a pivotal decision. He fled to England and, on 18 June 1940, broadcast his immortal "Appeal of 18 June" from London. This powerful radio address exhorted the French people to resist the occupation and continue the fight, becoming a rallying cry for Free France – a government-in-exile and a military force dedicated to liberating their homeland. Despite often challenging relations with the United States, he consistently found a crucial ally in British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. De Gaulle emerged as the undisputed leader of the Free French Forces and later headed the French National Liberation Committee, playing a crucial role in the Allied effort against the Axis powers and embodying the spirit of French resistance until the liberation.

Reconstruction, Resignation, and the Return to Power

Following France's liberation in 1944, Charles de Gaulle became the head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, tasked with the immense responsibility of restoring democracy and rebuilding a shattered nation. During this period, he initiated a "dirigiste" economic policy, a state-directed approach to a capitalist economy that laid the foundation for three decades of unprecedented growth and prosperity, famously known as the Trente Glorieuses (the "Glorious Thirty" years). However, frustrated by the resurgence of what he perceived as petty partisanship and the inherent instability of the new Fourth Republic, he dramatically resigned in early 1946. Despite his withdrawal from power, he remained politically active, founding the Rassemblement du Peuple Français (RPF), or "Rally of the French People," to advocate for a stronger executive. He retired from public life in the early 1950s, dedicating himself to writing his influential War Memoirs, which swiftly became a cornerstone of modern French literature and a testament to his unique perspective on history.

Yet, destiny called again. The escalating Algerian War in 1958 brought the unstable Fourth Republic to the brink of collapse. In a moment of national crisis, President René Coty appointed de Gaulle President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister), effectively bringing him out of retirement. Tasked with preventing civil war, de Gaulle seized the opportunity to address the underlying structural weaknesses of French governance. He masterfully rewrote the Constitution of France, creating the Fifth Republic with its robust presidential system, which was overwhelmingly approved by national referendum. Later that year, he was elected President of France, a position to which he was reelected in 1965, holding it until his resignation in 1969.

Decolonization and the "Politics of Grandeur"

De Gaulle's second period in power was dominated by two interconnected ambitions: resolving the Algerian crisis and reasserting France's independent standing on the world stage. He skillfully navigated the treacherous waters of the Algerian War, ultimately granting independence to Algeria in 1962, a decision that deeply angered the Pieds-Noirs (ethnic French born in Algeria) and segments of the military who had initially supported his return precisely to maintain colonial rule. He also progressively moved towards granting independence to other French colonies, ushering in a new era for France's relationship with its former empire. In the broader context of the Cold War, de Gaulle initiated his famous "politics of grandeur," a bold assertion that France, as a major power, should not be reliant on other nations, particularly the United States, for its national security or prosperity. This philosophy led him to pursue a policy of "national independence," famously withdrawing France from NATO's integrated military command and launching an ambitious, independent nuclear development program that saw France become the world's fourth nuclear power.

On the European front, de Gaulle undertook a historic reconciliation with Germany, culminating in the signing of the Élysée Treaty on 22 January 1963. This landmark agreement aimed to forge a strong Franco-German alliance, creating a vital European counterweight between the Anglo-American and Soviet spheres of influence. However, his vision for Europe was distinctly one of a "Europe of nations," where sovereign states cooperated, rather than a supranational entity. He was a vocal critic of the United States' intervention in Vietnam and famously decried the "exorbitant privilege" of the US dollar in international finance. In his later years, his outspoken support for the slogan "Vive le Québec libre" during a visit to Canada and his two vetoes of Britain's entry into the European Economic Community generated considerable controversy both in North America and across Europe, highlighting his unyielding commitment to French exceptionalism.

Challenges, Resignation, and Enduring Legacy

Despite being reelected to the presidency in 1965, de Gaulle faced significant internal challenges, most notably the widespread protests by students and workers in May 1968, which brought France to a standstill. Although he had the steadfast support of the Army and successfully managed to reassert control, winning a subsequent election with an increased majority in the National Assembly, the events deeply affected him. He ultimately resigned in 1969 after losing a referendum in which he had proposed a series of constitutional reforms aimed at increasing regional decentralization. A year later, on 9 November 1970, Charles de Gaulle passed away peacefully at his residence in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, leaving his presidential memoirs unfinished. His death marked the end of an era, but his profound impact on France endured. Today, numerous French political parties and figures claim a "Gaullist" legacy, reflecting his pervasive influence, and countless streets, squares, and monuments across France are dedicated to his memory, a testament to his lasting significance as a national hero and the architect of modern France.

FAQs

What was Charles de Gaulle's primary role during World War II?
Charles de Gaulle led the Free French Forces from London, becoming the symbol of French resistance against Nazi Germany and the Vichy regime after the French government signed an armistice in 1940. He organized French soldiers and citizens who refused to surrender, eventually heading the Provisional Government of the French Republic following the country's liberation.
Why did de Gaulle establish the Fifth Republic?
De Gaulle established the Fifth Republic in 1958 primarily to address the chronic instability of the Fourth Republic, which suffered from frequent changes in government and an inability to deal effectively with major crises, particularly the Algerian War. He drafted a new constitution that created a much stronger presidency, believing a powerful executive was essential for national stability and effective governance.
What was the "politics of grandeur"?
The "politics of grandeur" was Charles de Gaulle's foreign policy doctrine, which asserted France's independence and its status as a major global power. It emphasized that France should not be subservient to any other nation (including the United States), leading to initiatives like withdrawing from NATO's integrated military command and developing an independent nuclear deterrent.
Why did de Gaulle resign from power twice?
De Gaulle first resigned in 1946 from the Provisional Government due to his frustration with the return of "petty partisanship" and what he saw as the inherent weaknesses of the emerging Fourth Republic's parliamentary system. His second resignation in 1969 came after he lost a national referendum on proposed constitutional reforms (related to decentralization and Senate reform). He had made the referendum a vote of confidence in his leadership, and upon its rejection, he honored his promise to step down.
What was de Gaulle's stance on European integration?
De Gaulle championed Franco-German reconciliation and cooperation, which was crucial for European stability, as evidenced by the Élysée Treaty. However, he strongly favored a "Europe of nations" – a confederation of sovereign states cooperating on common interests – rather than a supranational European entity with significant authority over national governments. This stance led to his opposition to Britain's entry into the European Economic Community (EEC) at the time, fearing it would dilute French influence and lead to a more Atlanticist, less independent Europe.
How did Charles de Gaulle manage the Algerian War?
De Gaulle initially returned to power with support from many who believed he would maintain French Algeria. However, he gradually concluded that continued colonial rule was untenable. He orchestrated a complex and politically perilous process that led to Algerian independence in 1962, a decision that deeply divided French society and caused immense anger among the Pieds-Noirs and parts of the military, yet ultimately averted a civil war in mainland France.