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De Gaulle - 10 things to know with detail

• Charles de Gaulle was a prominent French military general and statesman who played a significant role in the history of France during the 20th century.
• De Gaulle was born on November 22, 1890, in Lille, France, and grew up in a patriotic and conservative family. He attended military school and served in World War I, where he was wounded and captured by the Germans.
• De Gaulle gained fame during World War II for his leadership of the Free French Forces, a group of French soldiers who fought against the Axis powers and collaborated with the Allies. He famously broadcast a rallying cry to the French people from London in 1940, urging them to resist the German occupation.
• After the war, de Gaulle served as the provisional president of the French government and played a key role in drafting a new constitution for the country. He was elected as the first president of the French Fifth Republic in 1958.
• De Gaulle was known for his strong leadership style and his commitment to French nationalism. He pursued policies aimed at restoring France's status as a great power, including the development of nuclear weapons and the withdrawal of French forces from NATO.
• De Gaulle also sought to maintain France's independence in the face of Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. He famously vetoed Britain's entry into the European Economic Community in 1963, believing that it would undermine French sovereignty.
• De Gaulle's presidency was marked by social and economic reforms, including the decentralization of government and the promotion of French culture and language. He also oversaw the end of the Algerian War of Independence, granting Algeria independence in 1962.
• De Gaulle faced several challenges during his presidency, including student protests in 1968 and a failed assassination attempt in 1962. He resigned as president in 1969 after losing a referendum on government reforms.
• De Gaulle retired to his home in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, where he wrote his memoirs and remained active in political affairs until his death on November 9, 1970.
• De Gaulle is remembered as one of the most influential figures in French history, known for his strong leadership, commitment to French sovereignty, and vision of a strong and independent France on the world stage. His legacy continues to be celebrated in France and around the world.