charles de gaulleCharles de Gaulle(1890- 1970) was born in Flanders and he joined the military academy of St. Cyr in 1913. Charles participated in World War 1, and was captured by the Germans and kept as a Prisoner of war. Once World War 1 was over, De Gaulle began writing a book called “The Army of the Future” where he discussed military tactics and war plans. During the invasion of Germany on France in 1940, he was in charge of the tanks positions and he was able to let his tank unit push back the Germans once they tried to enter France. French prime minister Paul Reynaud assigned Charles De Gaulle as the Minister of War. After several months of fighting with Germany, numerous French politicians wanted to sign an armistice with Germany, however De Gaulle rejected such request as he was extremely passionate about this topic and stated that it would be a betrayal to the country and the soldiers who died protecting it.On November 1945, De Gaulle was elected the leader of the new French government, and he formed the Rally of the French People, a political party, however it did not seek the attention required for it to be successful. In 1958, De Gaulle was elected president during the Algerian crisis, and he helped form the Fifth French republic. De Gaulle decided to give Algeria independence, this act was seen as betrayal in the French military thus leaving De Gaulle questioning his actions. In the last few years of his presidency, student revolts had occurred leaving De Gaulle to quit the office, De Gaulle then passed away from old age on November 9, 1970.
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