Charles de Gaulle was born in Lille in 1890 into a patriotic Catholic family that steeped him in French history and military tradition. He graduated from Saint-Cyr, served with distinction in the First World War—where he was wounded and captured at Verdun—and spent the interwar years writing about armored warfare while holding staff posts that kept him at the margins of official doctrine.

When France collapsed in June 1940, de Gaulle refused defeat. From London he broadcast the famous appeal of 18 June, insisting that France had lost a battle, not the war. As leader of Free France and later head of the provisional government, he balanced resistance politics, colonial questions, and the need to restore republican legitimacy after liberation. His abrupt resignation in 1946 reflected frustration with party fragmentation he believed weakened the nation.

Twelve years in the political wilderness ended when the Algerian crisis brought him back to power in 1958. He engineered a new constitution, founded the Fifth Republic with a strong executive presidency, granted Algerian independence after a brutal war, and pursued an independent foreign policy built around nuclear deterrence and skepticism toward American and Soviet dominance. He retired in 1969 after losing a referendum and died the following year at Colombey-les-Deux-Églises.

1. 1940

   Appeal of 18 June

   Broadcast from London calling on French soldiers and citizens to continue the fight.

2. 1944

   Liberation of Paris

   Entered the capital as head of the provisional government after Allied victory.

3. 1958

   Return to Power

   Called back during the Algerian crisis and entrusted with constitutional reform.

4. 1962

   Evian Accords

   Signed agreement ending the Algerian War and recognizing Algerian independence.

5. 1969

   Resignation

   Stepped down after voters rejected regional reform in a referendum.