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Charles De Gaulle
"France cannot be france without greatness." - Charles De Gaulle
Key Insights
Charles de Gaulle, often known as the General, was a prominent French military leader and statesman. As a president of France, he pursued a policy of “national independence” asserting French sovereignty and opposing both American and Soviet dominance during the Cold War. This led him to withdraw France from NATO's integrated military command and to develop own nuclear capabilities that made France the world’s fourth nuclear power. De Gaulle's approach emphasised national pride and an assertive stance in international affairs, shaping France's role on the world stage.
Written by Pablo Mathis
27 February 2023 · 00:00 CETUpdated 21 June 2026 · 18:24 CET
Cite this brief
Mathis, P. (2023). Charles De Gaulle. EPIS Insight · International Relations & Diplomacy.
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