Early Life And Military Career

Charles de Gaulle: French General, Statesman, and Architect of the Fifth Republic

Early Life and Military Career

Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was born on November 22, 1890, in Lille, France. He attended the prestigious École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr and graduated at the top of his class. During World War I, he served with distinction and was promoted to the rank of colonel by the time he was 35 years old.

Exiled Leader during World War II

Following France's defeat in 1940, de Gaulle escaped to England and became the leader of the Free French resistance movement. He rallied support from around the world and established a government-in-exile in London. From there, he broadcast messages to the occupied parts of France, calling for resistance against the Nazis.

Architect of the Fifth Republic

After the war, de Gaulle returned to France and was elected President of the Provisional Government. He oversaw the drafting of a new constitution, which established the Fifth Republic in 1958. The Fifth Republic gave the president a strong role in government, and de Gaulle became its first president.

Leadership and Legacy

De Gaulle served as president of France from 1959 to 1969. During his presidency, he led France through the Algerian War and oversaw significant economic growth. He also played a key role in the development of the European Union. De Gaulle was a charismatic and influential leader who remains a highly respected figure in French history.

Charles de Gaulle died on November 9, 1970, in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, France. He is remembered as one of France's greatest leaders and his legacy continues to influence political discourse in France today.