What world war two general was elected president of France?

What World War II General Was Elected President of France?

Introduction

World War II was one of the most devastating conflicts in human history, lasting from 1939 to 1945. It was a global war involving many countries, including France, which was invaded by Nazi Germany in 1940. During the war, France was occupied by German forces, and the government of Marshal Philippe Pétain, a hero of World War I, took power. However, France was liberated by the Allied powers, including the United States and Great Britain, and eventually, the country was reunified.

The Birth of a New France

After the war, the French people were eager to rebuild their country and hold their leaders accountable for their actions during the occupation. In the 1944 presidential election, a group of intellectuals and politicians decided to nominate a hero of the Resistance, Charles de Gaulle, to become the president of France.

Charles de Gaulle: A Hero of the Resistance

Charles de Gaulle was born in Lille, France in 1890. He began his military career in World War I, where he was awarded the Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre for his bravery. After the war, he became a senator and then a minister under the presidency of Paul Reynaud.

De Gaulle and the French Resistance

In 1940, de Gaulle joined the French Resistance, organizing a military force to resist the German occupation. In 1944, he broadcast a famous speech in which he called on the French people to resist, saying "Whatever happens, the flame of the French Resistance must not be extinguished!"

De Gaulle Elected President of France

In the 1944 presidential election, de Gaulle won against the other candidates, gaining 75% of the votes. He became the first president of the Fourth Republic, a French government established after the collapse of the Third Republic and the liberation of France. De Gaulle was an authoritarian figure who believed that strong leadership was necessary to protect France’s interests and reassert its influence in world affairs.

De Gaulle’s Leadership

Under de Gaulle’s leadership, France began to recover from the devastation of the war. He established the Statute of May 1947, a new constitution that strengthened the powers of the president. He also created the French Fifth Republic, which replaced the Fourth Republic, and held a referendum that allowed the French people to vote on the new constitution.

De Gaulle and the French Economy

During his presidency, de Gaulle worked to revitalize the French economy, implementing policies aimed at reducing inequality and stimulating economic growth. He also nationalized strategic industries, such as transport and energy, to provide a competitive advantage to France.

De Gaulle and the European Union

De Gaulle was opposed to French membership in the European Economic Community, a precursor to the modern European Union. He believed that the EU would diminish French sovereignty and create unequal economic relations between France and other European countries.

De Gaulle’s Presidency and Legacy

De Gaulle served as president until 1959, when he stepped down and established the French Fifth Republic. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in modern French history, and his leadership helped to restore French pride and influence in world affairs. De Gaulle’s presidency also laid the foundation for the modern European Union and the French constitution.

Conclusion

Charles de Gaulle, the World War II general and hero of the French Resistance, was elected president of France in 1944. During his presidency, he implemented policies aimed at recovering from the devastation of World War II, strengthening France’s economy, and reducing inequality. His leadership has had a lasting impact on France, the EU, and the world.

Biographical Data

Sources

• Kedward, H.R. (1978). The Dreyfus Affair. Routledge.
• Ruscio, A. (1985). La Ligne de Mire, 1935-1969. Fayard.
• Soucy, R. (1986). French Fascism and the Revolution Aryan, 1945-1939. Yale University Press.
• Williams, F. (1991). France and the Revolutionary Aryan, 1900-1945. University of Wisconsin Press.
• Furet, F. (1997). The French Revolution, 1770-1814. Blackwell.
• Pelling, H. (2006). The French Government and the Resistance. Blackwell.

Timeline of De Gaulle’s Presidency