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Charles de Gaulle
De Gaulle-OWI.jpg
18th President of the French Republic
In office
January 8, 1959 – April 28, 1969
Preceded by René Coty
Succeeded by Georges Pompidou
149th Prime Minister of France
In office
June 1, 1958 – January 8, 1959
Preceded by Pierre Pflimlin
Succeeded by Michel Debré
Personal details
Born November 22, 1890
Lille, France
Died November 9, 1970 (aged 79)
Colombey-les-deux-Églises, France
Political party UDR
Spouse Yvonne de Gaulle
Children Philippe
Élisabeth
Anne

Charles de Gaulle (born November 22, 1890, died November 9, 1970) was a very important French soldier and political leader. He was the president of France from 1959 to 1969. During World War II, he helped start and lead the French Resistance, a group that fought against Germany. Many people still see him as one of France's strongest leaders, even like Napoleon.

De Gaulle's Military Life

Charles de Gaulle fought in both World War I and World War II. He started his army career after finishing a famous French military school called Ecole Militaire de Saint-Cyr. In 1912, he joined the army's infantry, which are soldiers who fight on foot.

Fighting in World War I

During World War I, de Gaulle was captured at the Battle of Verdun. He was sent home after the war ended. Even after the war, Charles stayed in the military. He believed in new ways of fighting, like using armored machines such as tanks for troops.

Leading in World War II

De-gaulle-radio
General de Gaulle speaking on BBC Radio during World War II

When World War II began, de Gaulle created and led the Free French Forces. He did this because he strongly felt that France should not give up to Germany and its allies, known as the Axis forces.

As the French government surrendered to Germany, de Gaulle escaped to Britain. There, he set up his own French government, which he called Free France. He gathered support and French soldiers. These soldiers later helped to free France from Germany's control.

De Gaulle's Political Life

After World War II, de Gaulle stepped down as the leader of the temporary government in 1946. But in 1958, he came out of retirement. He was then elected President of France. He was reelected in 1965 and stayed president until he resigned in 1969.

France's Recovery and Growth

While de Gaulle was president, France recovered well from the war. The country also had great economic success, meaning its economy grew strong.

He also gave independence to Algeria and other African countries that had been under French rule.

Nuclear Power for France

Charles de Gaulle wanted France to have its own nuclear weapons. At that time, only the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union had them. While he was President, France became one of the few major countries with nuclear weapons.

Later Life and Legacy

De Gaulle resigned from his presidency in April 1969. This happened after some of his ideas were not supported by many people in France. He went back home to his estate in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. He passed away there just two weeks before his 80th birthday.

Famous Quotes by Charles de Gaulle

  • "I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians."
  • "I grew up to always respect authority and respect those in charge."
  • "Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains, they drown in every drop."
  • "Don't ask me who's influenced me. A lion is made up of the lambs he's digested, and I've been reading all my life."
  • "Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so."

Interesting Facts about Charles de Gaulle

  • Charles de Gaulle was a general in the French army and later the President of France.
  • He fought in both World War I and World War II.
  • He was captured during World War I.
  • Charles disagreed with French leaders who wanted to surrender to Germany. So, he left France and went to Great Britain. There, he formed the Free French Forces.
  • Charles de Gaulle helped free France from Germany's control.
  • He served as a temporary President after World War II until 1946.
  • He was elected President in 1958.
  • De Gaulle resigned from the presidency in April 1969 and died at home when he was almost 80 years old.


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