Biography of Charles De Gaulle

General, mon General

22 November 1890
November 9, 1970
Born in Lille on 22 November 1890, Charles De Gaulle was the General who for nearly three decades has embodied the very name of France, accompanying the transformation of the country from colonial power in economic and political power. Choosing a military career, eighteen in August 1914 at the outbreak of World War I's lieutenant. Taken prisoner by the Germans in 1916 will be freed with the Armistice in September of the following year. Becomes captain and in 1922 gets admission to school of war. In 1931 is on secondment to the General Secretariat of Defense and it is there that he became interested in the Affairs of State. On 3 September 1939, when France declared war on Germany, has already reached the rank of Colonel. These were years of great tension combined with huge excitement caused by movement in Europe of unstoppable armies of death generated by Hitler. The France feels threatened personally, but unfortunately comes into conflict in socio-economic conditions in disarray. In 1936 the left-wing popular front wins the election, but the Government of the Socialist Leon Blum fails to revive the fortunes of the country, which therefore comes unprepared for war. The 1° June 1940 de Gaulle was appointed Brigadier General and Undersecretary of Defense. The situation precipitated. In mid-June, returning from a meeting with the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, learns in Bordeaux of the resignation of Prime Minister Paul Reynard, replaced by Marshal Philippe Petain, who hastens for get an armistice to Germany. For France begins a dark age, where takes shape the so-called "collaborating" with the occupants, who will bring a part of French society, Chief among them the Government moved to Vichy, to share the hate and madness of the Nazis. De Gaulle repairs in London: on 18 June by BBC microphones launches a famous appeal to the French because they resist the Germans. A few days after the Armistice complaint: This earned him a death sentence in absentia. From Africa organizes the forces of free France and on 3 June 1944 he was appointed provisional President of the Republic by the Defence Council, a body born in Congo in 1940. A Government that at the end of October, is recognized by the great powers, Usa, Ussr and Great Britain. Won the war, driven out the Nazis from France, at the beginning of 1946 De Gaulle back his term as provisional President with hope, not so hidden, that the country still appeal to him. But the elections that take place in the autumn they see it defeated. Thus was born the Fourth Republic, not much different from the previous one (while de Gaulle had proposed in its extensive reforms and a firm hand in Economics). However De Gaulle is now launched into politics and in April 1947 gave life to his movement, the "Rassemblement du peuple français", which gives a great result in local elections. But in policies of 1951 the positive effect is deflated. For the General begins a period of voluntary exile politician in his withdrawal to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglise while France through serious difficulties, partly because of the disintegration of its colonial empire. De Gaulle is called back from exile and on 1 June 1958 was elected Chairman of the National Assembly. Members grant to General full powers and the ability to draw up a new Constitution. In essence, many historians agree in defining this abnormal situation a "golpe bianco", a moment in the history of France where a General has full powers, as if it were a dictator. The great statesman, however, very attached to his country and in the heart an enormous sense of the State, a quality that has always characterized, on 28 September, submit it to a referendum a new Constitution, which gets the benefit of the vast majority of the French. On 21 December he was elected President of the Republic. Comes the Fifth Republic, with an electoral system and strongly political presidenzialista in force today. Meanwhile, explode the events in Algeria, one of the many French colony that has long demand autonomy. De Gaulle proposes self-determination for the colony in North Africa, and the referendum of January 8, 1961 confirmation. Some generals don't agree and the April 22, 1961 result in a military coup in Algiers. The independence route is marked and the uprising has no effect, other than to create a terrorist organization (the Oas), formed by soldiers opposed to decolonization, the General's life several times and that will be done for years at the heart of dark plots throughout Europe. In 1962 de Gaulle takes another step toward total State reform, introducing the direct election of the President of the Republic. In 1965 is a candidate to win in the runoff against Socialist François Mitterrand. Meanwhile France's nuclear policy enhances by creating the "force de frappe", refusing the protection of the United States and being called out by Nato. This policy of free hands to the French love it. Comes the 1968 student riots, and is Paris burning and workers. For France is another dramatic moment. On 20 October ten million workers go on strike. Nine days after De Gaulle makes contact with the military in an effort to restore order in the country. Falls on 30 May and announces the dissolution of the National Assembly. It's a showdown that WINS in half: the riots ceased, but since the elections, a strong majority of right, refractory to reforms that General still wants to introduce. In early April of 1969 promotes a referendum to give more power to the regions and to the Senate, but was defeated. At midnight and ten minutes of the day 28 April resigned as President: is its blatant departure from French policy. You autoesilia then in Colombey; Here Charles De Gaulle dies the day November 9, 1970.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.