Charles de Gaulle Timeline

(November 22, 1890 – November 9, 1970)

Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970) was a French general, statesman, and writer best known for leading Free France against Nazi occupation during World War II and later founding the Fifth Republic, serving as its first president from 1959 to 1969. His vision of a strong, independent France shaped the nation's post-war politics and international standing. More Less

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Early Life and Military Career

Charles de Gaulle is born in Lille

Nov 22, 1890

Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was born in Lille, France, into a devoutly Catholic, patriotic family. His upbringing emphasized French history, nationalism, and intellectual pursuits, shaping his lifelong devotion to France.

Graduates from Saint-Cyr military academy

1912

De Gaulle graduated from the prestigious Saint-Cyr military academy, ranking 13th in his class. He chose to join the infantry, beginning his military career with the 33rd Infantry Regiment under the command of Philippe Pétain.

Wounded and captured at the Battle of Verdun

Mar 2, 1916

During World War I, de Gaulle fought at Verdun, where he was wounded and captured by German forces. He spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner, during which he attempted several escapes and wrote his first book.

Image source: Battle of Verdun

Publishes The Enemy's Sword-Arm (La Discorde chez l'ennemi)

1924

De Gaulle published his first book, an analysis of German military affairs, demonstrating his intellectual approach to military strategy. He went on to write influential works advocating armored warfare and professional armies.

Image source: Charles de Gaulle

Publishes The Army of the Future

1934

De Gaulle's book The Army of the Future argued for a professional, mechanized army built around armored divisions. His ideas were largely ignored by French leadership but influenced military thinkers abroad, including in Germany.

Image source: Charles de Gaulle

World War II and Free France

Promoted to brigadier general

Jun 6, 1940

As German forces overran France, de Gaulle, who had commanded an armored division with distinction, was promoted to brigadier general and appointed Undersecretary of State for National Defence, becoming the youngest general in the French army.

Appeal of 18 June on the BBC

Jun 18, 1940

Refusing to accept France's armistice with Nazi Germany, de Gaulle broadcast a famous appeal from London on the BBC, urging the French to continue the fight. The speech made him the symbolic leader of French resistance to occupation.

Image source: Appeal of 18 June

Founds the Free French Forces

Jul 1940

De Gaulle organized the Free French Forces, rallying colonial troops, volunteers, and French citizens abroad to continue the war against Germany. Despite initial skepticism from the Allies, he built a legitimate alternative to Vichy France.

Image source: Free France

Dakar expedition fails

Sep 23, 1940 - Sep 25, 1940

An Anglo-Free French attempt to seize Dakar in West Africa from Vichy forces ended in failure, dealing an early blow to de Gaulle's prestige. He persevered, however, and gradually expanded Free French control over African territories.

Free French forces capture Koufra

Mar 1, 1941

Free French troops under Leclerc captured the Italian-held oasis of Koufra in Libya, a symbolic victory for the Free French movement. De Gaulle famously ordered the oath of Koufra, pledging not to lay down arms until the French flag flew over Strasbourg.

Image source: Battle of Kufra (1931)

Leads Free French forces at Bir Hakeim

May 26, 1942 - Jun 11, 1942

The Free French 1st Brigade heroically held off Axis forces at Bir Hakeim in Libya for two weeks, covering the British retreat at Gazala. The stand greatly enhanced the reputation of the Free French and of de Gaulle himself.

Image source: Battle of Bir Hakeim

Allies land in North Africa; de Gaulle sidelined

Nov 8, 1942

During the Allied invasion of North Africa, the Americans favored General Henri Giraud over de Gaulle. De Gaulle's exclusion highlighted tensions with the Allies, but he ultimately consolidated political leadership of the French resistance.

Image source: Operation Torch

Heads the French Committee of National Liberation

Jun 3, 1943

De Gaulle became co-president, and soon sole effective leader, of the French Committee of National Liberation in Algiers, unifying Free French and resistance forces under a single authority recognized increasingly by the Allies.

Image source: French Committee of National Liberation

Provisional Government of the French Republic established

Jun 3, 1944

De Gaulle's committee became the Provisional Government of the French Republic, restoring republican legitimacy in anticipation of liberation. He insisted France be treated as a full ally rather than a liberated territory.

Image source: Provisional Government of the French Republic

Triumphant liberation of Paris

Aug 25, 1944

De Gaulle entered liberated Paris and led a triumphant parade down the Champs-Élysées, proclaiming the restoration of the Republic. His leadership ensured France regained its great-power status among the Allies.

Image source: Liberation of Paris

Later Years and Legacy

Heads the provisional government of postwar France

Aug 26, 1944 - Jan 20, 1946

De Gaulle led France through the immediate postwar period, overseeing reconstruction, social reforms, and the establishment of the welfare state, while clashing with party politicians over the shape of the new constitution.

Resigns as head of the provisional government

Jan 20, 1946

Frustrated by the restoration of party politics and the weakness of the proposed Fourth Republic constitution, de Gaulle abruptly resigned, beginning his long period of political opposition known as his 'traversée du désert' (desert crossing).

Founds the Rassemblement du Peuple Français

Apr 14, 1947

De Gaulle launched the RPF, a mass movement seeking to reform the French political system. It enjoyed early electoral success but declined by the early 1950s, after which de Gaulle withdrew from active politics.

Resigns after losing constitutional referendum

Apr 28, 1969

De Gaulle staked his presidency on a referendum on regional and Senate reform. Its rejection led him to resign immediately, ending his political career as he had promised, and Georges Pompidou succeeded him.

Image source: 1969 French constitutional referendum

Charles de Gaulle dies at Colombey-les-Deux-Églises

Nov 9, 1970

De Gaulle died of an aneurysm at his home in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, days before his 80th birthday. He was buried simply beside his daughter Anne, and France mourned the loss of its towering postwar statesman.

Paris airport renamed Charles de Gaulle Airport

Mar 8, 1974

France's largest airport was named in de Gaulle's honor, cementing his legacy. He remains one of the most revered figures in French history, with streets, squares, and institutions across the country bearing his name.

Image source: Charles de Gaulle Airport

Fifth Republic Presidency

May 1958 crisis brings de Gaulle back to power

May 13, 1958 - Jun 1, 1958

Amid an army revolt in Algiers and fears of civil war over Algeria, French politicians turned to de Gaulle as the only figure capable of restoring order. He became the last Prime Minister of the Fourth Republic with emergency powers.

Image source: May 1958 crisis in France

Fifth Republic constitution approved by referendum

Sep 28, 1958

A new constitution creating a strong presidential executive was approved by an overwhelming majority, founding the Fifth Republic. De Gaulle was elected its first President by an electoral college in December 1958.

Becomes first President of the Fifth Republic

Jan 8, 1959

De Gaulle took office as the first President of the French Fifth Republic, embarking on a program of national grandeur, decolonization, and independent foreign policy that would define his decade in power.

Image source: President of France

Grants independence to most African colonies

1960

De Gaulle oversaw the peaceful independence of most French colonies in sub-Saharan Africa in 1960, while maintaining close economic and political ties through the 'Françafrique' network of influence.

Image source: Decolonisation of Africa

First French atomic bomb test

Feb 13, 1960

France detonated its first nuclear weapon, Gerboise Bleue, in the Algerian Sahara, becoming the fourth nuclear power. De Gaulle viewed the force de frappe as essential to French independence and global standing.

Image source: Gerboise Bleue (nuclear test)

Resolves the Algerian War and grants Algeria independence

Mar 18, 1962 - Jul 5, 1962

After years of brutal conflict, de Gaulle negotiated the Évian Accords, ending the Algerian War and granting Algeria independence. He survived assassination attempts by the OAS, a militant group opposed to Algerian independence.

Image source: Évian Accords

Direct election of president approved by referendum

Oct 28, 1962

De Gaulle won a referendum to amend the constitution so that the French president would be elected directly by the people, greatly strengthening the presidency. He survived a major assassination attempt in Petit-Clamart weeks earlier.

Image source: 1962 French presidential election referendum

Vetoes Britain's entry into the EEC

Jan 14, 1963 - Nov 27, 1967

De Gaulle twice vetoed British accession to the European Economic Community, famously doubting Britain's commitment to Europe. The vetoes shaped European integration for years and strained Franco-British relations.

Image source: Commonwealth of Nations

Recognizes the People's Republic of China

Jan 27, 1964

France became the first major Western power to establish full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, reflecting de Gaulle's independent foreign policy and his skepticism of Cold War bloc politics.

Image source: China–France relations

State visit to Quebec with Vive le Québec libre speech

Jul 24, 1967

During a visit to Montreal for Expo 67, de Gaulle ended a speech with 'Vive le Québec libre!', causing a diplomatic crisis with Canada and delighting Quebec nationalists. He cut short his visit and returned to France.

Image source: Vive le Québec libre

May 1968 student and worker protests erupt

May 1968 - Jun 1968

Massive student demonstrations and a general strike brought France to the brink of collapse. De Gaulle briefly left for Baden-Baden to secure army support, then dissolved the National Assembly; his supporters won a landslide in June elections.

Image source: May 68

Key Facts

Charles de Gaulle was born on November 22, 1890, in Lille, France, and graduated from the Saint-Cyr military academy in 1912.
During World War II, he refused to accept France's surrender to Nazi Germany and delivered his famous June 18, 1940 BBC appeal, calling on the French to continue resistance.
He led the Free French Forces from London and became head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic after the liberation of Paris in 1944.
In 1958, amid the Algerian crisis, he was called back to power, created the Fifth Republic with a stronger presidential system, and served as its first president until 1969.
De Gaulle pursued an independent foreign policy, developing France's nuclear deterrent, withdrawing from NATO's integrated command, and recognizing Communist China in 1964.

Source

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