France has faced many difficulties over the centuries as a nation. Wars, athoritarianism, plagues, revolutions, hummiliation by Hitler have all played a role. Then after the second World War a new leader came to power that would affect the nation as a whole. His name was General Charles de Gaulle. From this brief statement a question needs to be asked. What was Charles de Gaulle’s impact on France’s re-emergence as a great nation ? To help answer this question three main areas will be discussed. These areas are de-colonization, foreign policy and Gaullism.
Charles de Gaulle accepted to lead the country in 1958. He came to power only if a new constitution could be put in place. This was accepted by a referendum of a vast majority and gave “the executive much broader powers” . Charles de Gaulle now had the tools needed to bring about France’s re-emergence. Algeria and de-colonization were a problem that Charles de Gaulle
Foreign policy is where Charles de Gaulle would truly bring about a stronger nation. France was humiliated in the Second World War and this would be a foundation where Charles de Gaulle could build. He would “strive for total independence from France’s allies” . First, under great fanfare he withdrew France from NATO. This showed how committed France was to total independence. Charles de Gaulle then committed to a first strike policy in war. In fact, an “independent nuclear deterrent appears as the cornerstone of the country’s ultimate security” . He was also very anti-American and anti-British and met a lot of resistance from other French politicians who did not share this view. Charles de Gaulle was isolating France from its allies and attempting to build a very independent nation. By removing itself from NATO and having a first strike policy other nations had to take notice of France. Therefore, this policy helpe