Charles de Gaulle biography timeline

Birth of Charles Andre Marie Joseph de Gaulle

Pases the entrance examination to St Cyr

Wounded in battle & captured by the Germans. "posthumously" awarded the Legion of Honour. It is officially thought de Gaulle died in battle

Imprisoned by the Germans at Ingolstadt, Bavaria

Taken prisoner during the Battle of Verdun

Appointed Member of Marshal Petains Secretariat

Appointed Major

Serves in the Rhineland occupation, 1927-1929

Publication of "Le Fil de Lepee"

Appointed Lieutenant Colonel

Appointed Secretary of the Conseil Superieur de Defence Nationale

Publication of "Vers lArmee de Metier"

Appointed Colonel

Publication of "La France et son Armee"

Draws up a memo for armoured units to counter German invasion of Holland & Belgium

Appointed Commander of the 4th Armoured Division

Informed Touchon will try to create a defensive line outside Paris

Joined by an embryo staff & remants of General Petiets Cavalry at Laon

Launches a counterattack in the region of Laon with 80 tanks to destroy the communication of the German armoured troops

Prepares to sever Guderians supply lines at Montcornet but is beaten back

Launches an attack on the "Bulge" from the north & sth

Prepares to sever Guderians supply lines at Montcornet but is beaten back

Prepares to sever Guderians supply lines at Montcornet but is beaten back

The Germans had massed the bulk of their armoured force in Panzer Group von Kleist, which attacked through the comparatively unguarded sector of the Ardennes and achieved a breakthrough at Sedan with air support. Holds the Germans up at Abbeville. Appointed temporary general

Appointed temporary general

Realizes that France will be over-run by the Germans

Holds the Germans up at Montcornet

Appointed Brigadier General

Appointed Under Secretary of State for War

Arranges transportation of 500,000 French soldiers to continue the war in north Africa

Broadcasts to the French people declaring that the War for France is not over

Deserts from the Vichy Government & is sentenced to death

Deserts from the Vichy Government & is sentenced to death

Free French representatives adhere to the Atlantic Charter principles.

His movement joins Allied support for the joint declaration.

Holds a rally in the Albert Hall in front of 10,000 French who sing the "Marseillaise"

Announces on Bastille Day that his movement will be known as "Fighting France"

Appoints Legentilhomme High Commissioner of Madagascar

Agrees with Britain to appoint Legentilhomme High Commissioner of Madagascar

Welcomes Allied gains in North Africa as strengthening the Allied position in the Mediterranean and the approaches to Suez.

Forms the Armee Secrete, a nucleus for the French uprising at the Liberation

Submits plans to the British for the succesful Free French invasion of Madagascar

Submits plans to the British for the succesful Free French invasion of Madagascar

The Comm of National Liberation allows Algeria to have a say in running their country. Founds Committee of National Liberation in Algeria

The Comm of National Liberation allows Algeria to have a say in running their country. Founds Committee of National Liberation in Algeria

Establishes a provisional French Government in Algeria

Founds the French Forces of the Interior to control the activities of the Resistance

The Algiers Committee declares itself the Provisional Government of France

The Algiers Committee declares itself the Provisional Government of France

The Algiers Committee declares itself the Provisional Government of France

The Algiers Committee declares itself the Provisional Government of France

De Gaulle entered Bayeux during his first return to French soil since 1940.

De Gaulle called for continued resistance and asserted French sovereignty over liberated territory.

De Gaulle left Bayeux for Isigny after establishing visible French political authority.

De Gaulle walked through Bayeux as growing crowds joined his procession toward the town centre.

The enthusiastic Bayeux reception strengthened de Gaulle's claim to represent liberated France.

De Gaulle visited the sub-prefecture before addressing the people of Bayeux.

Enters Paris after its surrender by the Germans

Appointed of the Provisional Government

Walks in triumph down the Champs Elysees

Appointed of the Provisional Government

Announces the Government will run centrally. Announces resistance organisations & Liberation Committee's will have advisery roles

The French Resistance is dissolved

Services on the Parisian metro are resumed

At a press conference criticizes the Allies for failing to supply France with arms

Disagrees with Churchill about de Gaulles policy for avoiding creating a western bloc

Despite appeals from Churchill the Rhine becomes a French sphre of interest

Appointed President of the 4th Republic of France

France & Russia agree to a Franco-Soviet Pact

Visits Moscow to raise arms for the French Army

France & Russia agree to a Franco-Soviet Pact

Supports Russias border at the Oder-Niesse for the left bank of the Rhine

Visits Moscow to raise arms for the French Army

President of the Provisional Government prior to the establishment of the 4th Republic

The Government of National Unanimity is formed

The Government of National Unanimity is formed

President of the Provisional Government prior to the establishment of the 4th Republic

A fortnight after the liberation the Provisional Government in Algiers moves to Paris

The Renault company is nationalized after accusations of collaboration during the occupation

The defeat of the Axis in Europe is publicly confirmed in France.

Makes the official announcement of victory over the Axis powers in Europe at 3 pm

Makes the official announcement of victory over the Axis powers in Europe at 3 pm

Women are given the vote

The Saar is occupied by French troops & economically incorporated into France

De Gaulle returned to Bayeux and outlined constitutional principles for post-war France.

De Gaulle argued in Bayeux for an executive authority strong enough to remain above party conflict.

Negotiations with the Vietminh break down at Fontainbleau & bombing resumes

Negotiations with the Vietminh break down & the bombing of Haiphong begins

The provisional Government is reformed

France recognizes Vietnam as a "free state" within the French Union

France recognizes Vietnam as a "free state" within the French Union

After the accord with the Vietminh French troops return North to replace the Chinese

The provisional Government is reformed

The new Republic does not have enough executive power or a strong President

Appointed Party Leader of the Rassemblement du Peuple Francais

Founds the Rassemblement du Peuple Francais, a new anti-communist party

The French are defeated in their war with Vietnam at a key post on the Chinese border

Appointed President of the 5th Republic

Offers the Algerians a referendum to decide their future

This record states: De Gaulle protested against the USA's strong role in the organization and what he perceived as a special relationship between it and the United Kingdom.

This record states: Eisenhower and Prime Minister Harold Macmillan on 17 September 1958, he argued for the creation of a tripartite directorate that would put France on an equal footing with the US and the UK.

This record states: In a memorandum sent to President Dwight D.

This record states: NATO's unity was breached early in its history with a crisis occurring during Charles de Gaulle's presidency of France.

de Gaulle began constructing an independent defence force for his country. He wanted to give France, in the event of an East German incursion into West Germany, the option of coming to a separate peace with the Eastern bloc instead of being drawn into a larger NATO–Warsaw Pact war. France withdrew its Mediterranean Fleet from NATO command

Supports French nuclear development using uranium resources.

Comes to power in France & offers a plan for Algerian self-determination

Comes to power in France & offers a plan for Algerian self-determination

Speaks of the "national legitamacy that I incarnate & have done for 20 years". After "laffaire des barricades" in Algiers appeals for order

France tests its first atomic weapon in Algeria.

France detonates Gerboise Bleue in Algeria and becomes the fourth state to test a nuclear weapon.

France explodes its first atomic bomb in the Sahara desert, it has a yield of 60-70 kilotons

Narrowly escapes an assassination attempt

Under article 16 of the Constitution de Gaulle assumes dictatorial emergency powers

Narrowly escapes an assassination attempt

Under article 16 of the Constitution de Gaulle assumes dictatorial emergency powers

French authorities agree in principle to financial and economic measures intended to isolate Algeria.

A financial & economic blockade of Algeria is agreed in principle

Forbids anyone to follow the orders of the rebellious generals in Algeria. Condemns the 4 retired generals leading the rebellion in Algeria

Launches the Worlds longest liner at St Nazaire

Attends the Allied Summit in Paris

Senegal becomes independent

Senegal becomes independent

The OAS attempt to assassinate de Gaulle as a last hope to save French Algeria

De Gaulle promoted cooperation between sovereign European states while resisting further transfer of national powers to supranational institutions.

Visited by Khruschev but de Gaulle does not change his pro-German policy over Berlin

Makes a speech excluding Great Britain from the Common Market

De Gaulle strongly supported the Common Agricultural Policy as a central economic interest for France within the EEC.

Elected President of the 5th Republic

De Gaulle received an allied briefing and supported the United States assessment of the missile evidence.

The British & French Governments agree to build what will become Concorde

Draws up the Fouchet Plan for a union of Europe based around the EU

The Fouchet Plan is vetoed by the Dutch who see it as anti-British

De Gaulle backed the Fouchet Plan, which proposed a political union based on cooperation between European governments.

Draws up the Fouchet Plan for a union of European based around the EU

De Gaulle fears a loss of French influence in the European Communities, which was becoming more and more supranational so the Plan is an attempt to keep the balance of power in France's favour

De Gaulle supported the Fouchet proposals as an alternative to further supranational expansion of the European Communities.

The Fouchet negotiations failed when other Community members rejected France's preferred intergovernmental model.

The success of the European Communities and the lack of enthusiasm of other states stops the Fouchet Plan

Tours Germany to support Franco-German nationalism

The Fouchet Plan is vetoed by the Dutch who see it as anti-British. Draws up the Fouchet Plan for a union of European based around the EU

Draws up the Fouchet Plan for a union of European based around the EU

De Gaulle publicly opposed Britain's first application to join the European Economic Community.

The Elysee Treaty strengthened Franco-German consultation, reinforcing a partnership central to later Community development.

De Gaulle refuses a three power nuclear pact with the United States and Britain

Rejects US offer of Polaris missiles & a 3 country nuclear pact with USA & Britain

Rejects US offer of Polaris missiles & a 3 country nuclear pact with USA & Britain

De Gaulle rejects participation in an American led nuclear arrangement involving Polaris and favours a French national deterrent

Rejects US offer of Polaris missiles & a 3 country nuclear pact with USA & Britain

Rejects US offer of Polaris missiles & a 3 country nuclear pact with USA & Britain

Provides for regular summits & cooperation in foreign, economic & cultural affairs

Signed with Chancellor Adenauer. Provides for regular summits & cooperation in foreign, economic & cultural affairs

Refuses to attend the Twentieth anniversary because too few French troops partake

De Gaulle pressed for stable Community financing of the Common Agricultural Policy, a major French priority.

De Gaulle calls for an international monetary system based more directly on gold than dollars.

France began boycotting Council meetings during the Empty Chair crisis over agricultural finance and institutional voting.

Announces he will present himself as a Presidential candidite in the elections

In the 1st round polls 43%, Mitterrand 27% & Lecanuet 20%, a 2nd round is required

Wins the 2nd & final round with 54.6% to Mitterrands 45.4%

Refuses to give Weygand a State Funeral

Re-elected President of the 5th Republic

The Luxembourg Compromise ended the Empty Chair crisis and protected unanimity when a member claimed vital national interests.

All French armed forces were removed from NATO's integrated military command, and all non-French NATO troops were asked to leave France

Takes France out of NATO & removes NATO installations

The Merger Treaty took effect, creating a single Commission and Council for the three European Communities.

Visits Quebec & announces "Vive le Quebec", celebrating her centennial as a Dominion

De Gaulle again opposed British membership, delaying enlargement of the European Communities.

De Gaulle Vetoes British membership of the EC

France bans the stationing of foreign nuclear weapons on French soil. This caused the United States to transfer two hundred military aircraft out of France and return control of the air force bases that had operated in France since 1950 to the French by 1967

France develops uranium-enrichment capacity at Pierrelatte.

France joined the other EEC members in completing the customs union and abolishing internal customs duties.

France explodes a hydrogen bomb in the South Pacific & becomes the 5th nuclear power

France explodes a hydrogen bomb in the South Pacific & becomes the 5th nuclear power

Retreats to Baden-Baden during a rebellion which threatens to overthrow the Government

Retreats to Baden-Baden during a rebellion which threatens to overthrow the Government

France bans the sale of military supplies to Israel

Meets Nixon to agree a friendly policy toward China

The first prototype of the Concorde makes its maiden flight

Meets Manach & says Washington will open talks with China & support its United Nations membership

In a broadcast to the French nation says he will resign if the Government is defeated

Loses the referendum on "participation" by 53% to 47%. France rejects the Governments plans for regional & Senate reform

Makes a broadcast saying, "I am ceasing to exercise my functions as President"

An anti-Gaullist demonstration is held by a communist led trades union

Death of Charles de Gaulle

Death of Charles Andre Marie Joseph de Gaulle, aged 79 at Colombey