Charles De Gaulle
Charles De Gaulle (1890-1970), French soldier and statesman. In World War I he was severely wounded and became a prisoner of war. During World War II he led the Free French forces in Britain after the fall of France. He became president of the provisional government in 1945 but resigned the next year. After a period of retirement he became first president of the new Fifth Republic in 1958 and was re-elected in 1965. As president he ended French colonial rule in Algeria and withdrew French forces from NATO in 1966. Al-though his Gaullist party successfully quelled a revolt of students and workers in 1968, and won the elections of that year by a large majority, De Gaulle him-self resigned after being defeated in a referendum on constitutional reform in 1969.
“Intelligent — brilliant —resourceful — he spoils his undoubted talents by his excessive assurance, his contempt for other people’s point of view, and his attitude of a king in exile. Report of a French military college on Charles de Gaulle, 1992”
