Tue, 29 Apr 2025

Général de Gaule

Educated at École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr (1905-1911)

LIFE

General Gaule Lille Cavalry WorldWar PrimeMinister President France Saint-Cyr Leader Politics

A brief biography of General Charles de Gaull, his early life, participation in WWI, WWII ...

Here is a brief biography of General Charles de Gaulle in the form of a list:

Early Life

  • Born on November 22, 1890, in Lille, France
  • Educated at École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr (1905-1911)
  • Graduated as a cavalry officer and joined the French army

World War I and Interwar Period

  • Served in World War I with distinction, including the Battle of the Somme (1916) and the Battle of Verdun (1916)
  • Wounded twice and awarded several medals, including the Légion d'Honneur
  • After the war, he became a professor at Saint-Cyr and wrote his memoirs, "La France et son armée"

World War II

  • Became Minister of Defense in 1939 and led the French resistance against Nazi Germany
  • Formed the Free French Forces (FFL) to fight alongside British and American forces during WWII
  • Defended Gaulle's leadership at the Vichy government, which collaborated with Nazi Germany

Post-War Period

  • Became Prime Minister of France in 1944 and led the country through the early years of independence
  • Formed the Fifth Republic and became its first President (1959-1969)
  • Led France through several crises, including the Algerian War and the nuclear test at Polynesia

Presidency and Later Life

  • Centralized power and established a strong presidency
  • Nationalized key industries and imposed social welfare reforms
  • Defended French interests in Europe and beyond
  • Survived an assassination attempt in 1962
  • Resigned as President in 1969, citing poor health
  • Died on November 9, 1970, at the age of 79

Legacy

  • Considered one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century
  • Paved the way for modern France's independence and sovereignty
  • Left a lasting impact on French politics, culture, and identity