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Charles De Gaulle Research Paper

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“Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so,” said Charles de Gaulle. (Charles de Gaulle Quotes) Charles de Gaulle had a big impact during his life as a soldier, general, led the Free French during World War 2, founded the French Fifth Republic, and was a French president. Charles de Gaulle was born in November 22, 1890 in Lille, France. His father, Henri, was a teacher of philosophy, mathematics, and literature. Furthermore, he was a veteran of the Franco-Prussian War in which France lost which made his dad more patriotic to restore the former power to France. (Charles de Gaulle Biography) Charles learned French history at an early age. He loved to read and showed interest …show more content…

At the beginning of the war, de Gaulle commanded a tank brigade which was a part of the French Fifth Army. In May, 1940, he assumed command as temporary brigadier general in the 4th Armored Division. On June 6th, he entered the government of Paul Reynaud as undersecretary of state for defense and war in which he undertook several missions to England. Ten days later, however, the French government with Reynaud was replaced by Marshal Petain, who wanted an armistice with the Germans. De Gaulle refused to accept the French government’s truce with the Germans. He escaped to London that day. On June 18, he broadcast from London his first request to his country to continue war under his command. A French military court tried and sentenced him to absentia to death, deprivation of military rank, and confiscation of property. He had large liabilities as a political leader. However, de Gaulle was completely dedicated to France. In London in September 1941 de Gaulle formed the Free French National Council, with himself as president. It was a mixture of resistance forces, ranging from Catholics like himself to Communists. By early 1942, the Fighting French movement, as it was now called, gained rapidly in power and influence. Charles de Gaulle organized solders from French colonies to fight like Syria and Lebanon which were colonies that were retaken. Charles de Gaulle organized solders from French colonies to fight. …show more content…

De Gaulle managed to get a seat on the United Nations Security Council despite some of the Allied leaders’ obvious dislike for him. De Gaulle had support from France and in 1944 became head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic. He resigned in 1946 from his post. The French government, known as the Fourth Republic, began to crumble in the late 1950s, and de Gaulle once again returned to public service to help his country. De Gaulle was voted back into power as prime minister after the collapse of the Fourth Republic. He was a key voice in writing the constitution that established the Fifth Republic, and was elected president later in the year. (Charles de Gaulle: A Life of Political Influence) De Gaulle oversaw tough economic measures to renew the country, including the issuing of a new franc which was worth 100 old francs. He pushed for an independent France with its own nuclear weapons. De Gaulle ruled supreme for eleven years, but his firm hand began to anger many citizens. In April 1969, the French voted against his program for reorganizing the Senate and the regions of France. Immediately afterwards de Gaulle resigned and remained silent on political issues. Charles de Gaulle died of a heart attack at his home in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises on November 9,

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