Charles de Gaulle (1890 – 1970): biography, timeline and maps
Discover Charles de Gaulle, Leader of Free France and founding president of the Fifth Republic. Complete biography, detailed timeline, quotes and verified histo
historic-figures.comCharles de Gaulle was a French general in the 1940s. He formed the Fifth Republic and first president of postwar France, shaping French politics. He rejected the armistice with Germany in 1940, found exile in London, and broadcast the Appeal of 18 June to continue the resistance. After liberation, he headed the Provisional Government and reconstructed the institutions. He pursued an independent foreign policy, including seeking an autonomous deterrent. His impact defined France’s global role.