Early Life and Military Career
Born on November 22, 1890, in Lille, France, Charles de Gaulle was raised in a patriotic and religious household. He attended the prestigious Saint-Cyr military academy and graduated in 1912 as a second lieutenant[1].
He served in World War I, where he was wounded multiple times and taken prisoner by the Germans in 1916. His wartime service shaped his belief in national resilience and independent command[2].
Interwar Years and Military Thought
In the 1920s and 30s, de Gaulle served in various staff and command positions. He published books advocating mechanized warfare and armored units, ideas ignored by much of the French high command[3].
When World War II began, de Gaulle commanded tanks during the German invasion of France and was briefly promoted to brigadier general in May 1940[4].
Appeal of 18 June and Free France
Following France's armistice with Germany, de Gaulle fled to Britain. On June 18, 1940, he gave his famous BBC speech urging the French to continue fighting, marking the birth of the Free French Forces[5].
Operating from London and later Algiers, de Gaulle rallied colonies and resistance movements, asserting legitimacy as France's government-in-exile[6].
World War II Leadership
De Gaulle clashed frequently with Allied leaders, especially Churchill and Roosevelt, who found him stubborn and difficult. Despite these tensions, he maintained his vision of a liberated and independent France[7].
By 1944, de Gaulle led the Provisional Government of the French Republic and triumphantly entered Paris after its liberation in August[8].
Post-War Resignation and Return
De Gaulle resigned in 1946 over disputes about parliamentary instability. For over a decade, he lived in political retirement while publishing his memoirs[9].
In 1958, amid the Algerian Crisis, de Gaulle returned to power, rewriting the constitution and founding the French Fifth Republic, becoming its first President[10].
Presidency and Global Vision
As President (1959-1969), de Gaulle ended the Algerian War, withdrew France from NATO's integrated command, developed nuclear deterrence, and promoted a "Europe of Nations"[11].
He sought to restore France's global prestige, opposing American dominance and favoring national sovereignty[12].
Later Years and Death
De Gaulle resigned in 1969 after losing a constitutional referendum. He retired to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises, where he died of a heart attack on November 9, 1970, at the age of 79[13].
Legacy
De Gaulle remains one of France's most revered leaders. His wartime defiance, constitutional reforms, and assertion of national independence defined modern France. Paris's main international airport and countless monuments bear his name[14].