- Join the France 24 community here
- Log in
Latest update: 09/11/2010
- Charles de Gaulle - France - history - USA
De Gaulle legacy: 'He was not subservient to America'
As France marks the fortieth anniversary of Charles de Gaulle’s death, FRANCE 24 speaks with a US historian about the French statesman's legacy and international image.
By FRANCE 24 (text)
On November 9, 1970, Charles de Gaulle, the man who led the Free French Forces against Nazi Germany during World War II and later served as president from 1959 to 1969, died in his home in the central French town of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. Forty years later, FRANCE 24 talks to Nathanael Greene, a specialist in modern French history at the Connecticut-based Wesleyan University, about de Gaulle’s legacy and how the French statesman is viewed by the international community.
FRANCE 24: What was, or is, Charles de Gaulle's image in the US?
Nathanael Greene: It’s hard to say what his image is now, but most Americans who experienced de Gaulle did not find him to be acceptable. People were pouring French wine and champagne in the gutters when he withdrew French forces from NATO [in 1966], and when he made a speech in Cambodia [in 1966] that was highly critical of America’s role in Vietnam. De Gaulle was seen by many in the US as very, very anti-American, which he wasn’t. He was ultimately a very reliable ally; he just was not subservient to America. De Gaulle was viewed favourably when he came to the US for John F. Kennedy’s funeral. People thought, “De Gaulle really is OK after all”.
FRANCE 24: What was de Gaulle’s most important contribution to French domestic and foreign politics?
Nathanael Greene: His most lasting contribution domestically was establishing the legitimacy of institutions, providing the state with legitimate institutions to create a working, viable government apparatus, one that has lasted since 1958. Also [for] his resistance against the Vichy regime that collaborated with the Nazis, and, in the post-war period, setting up a functioning government and avoiding both civil war and an American occupation. These are all remarkable achievements. In terms of foreign policy, he established a role for France in the world. De Gaulle was the first to open up China. He spoke not of the Soviet Union, but of Russia. He was one of the few figures who predicted the end of Communism. And he indicated that Europe would be a “Europe of nations”.
FRANCE 24: What are some of the myths or misperceptions about de Gaulle, in France or elsewhere?
Nathanael Greene: A major one is that he was an old-fashioned authoritarian, a dictator. Ultimately, he proved himself democratic, beholden to the will of the people. In 1969 [following the May 1968 protests, when students and striking workers demanded massive reforms] he called a referendum and indicated that if his reform proposals lost he would resign. He lost it narrowly and resigned the next day. The other misperception is that he was basically old-fashioned and conservative. The reality is that he presided over some extraordinary social developments, including the Social Security system France has today. But there were those who called him a fascist because of his Olympian style and his remoteness.
Related Content
‘Darth Vader’ demands free land from Ukrainian government
Browse all editions
FRANCE 24 PARTNERS
Comments (7)
Great man but not exactly cuddly
My knowledge of him comes primarily from winston Churchills books. From that you can see De Gualle as a fierce Patriot of his nation at a time when his nation was virtually extinct. You don't have to be American to be a patriot which I suspect many modern US citizens don't understand.
He was a prickly character and often acted to the detriment of his country out of principle because he did not want to be a puppet of Britain or the US. But that does not mean he was not grateful of the assistance they brought to saving France from the Nazis.
He was a great man, the right man for France at that time as was Churchill for Britain at that time. But Great men are rarely loveable men.
De Gaulle legacy
It is doubtful whether political giants such as Charles De Gaulle would ever occupy the world stage.
He pursued an independent line of thinking but was never anti-American
De Gaulle
There was only one person that Charles De Gaulle listened to, or supported!
Charles De Gaulle!
If a course of action was not ultimately in the interest of Charles De Gaulle then it was just ignored.
If it boosted the reputation, and ego, of Charles De Gaulle then it got the go-ahead!
Charles de Gaulle
By any standard Charles de Gaulle was a great man.
I believe that Britain has need someone of his stature to give us his kind of his leadership and focus.
De Gaulle legacy: 'He was not subservient to America'
It doesn't appear to be asked if France through industrial agreements was or still is subservient to America? Maybe it appeared in the popular media that France was entirely independent from the USA, but in terms of industrial agreements, which is really at stake when we speak of subservience, France was and is subservient to the USA. I am surprised to read this historians positions and oversight that WWI and WWII were industrial wars fought for industrial and religious superiority, where Catholicism was wedded to Capitalism.
De Gaulle
Were I French, I would honour De Gaulle as a remarkable Frenchman. Note: French Champagne is nonsense, Champagne IS French,like English stilton. De Gaulle, like Eisenhower predicted the nest war would be fought by fast moving armour - De Gaulle was demoted, and Eisenhower lost the tank design to Russia
pragmatist man and courageous
he flew to africns countries and knew afterwards hw to handle th processus of decolonisation and gave liberty to them.even otherwise he pinalyse sekou toure s guinea after completly saying (no) to him and took back evrything.
Post new comment