Charles André Joseph Marie De Gaulle - Biography.

Charles André Joseph Marie De Gaulle - Biography. French general and statesman, first president of the Fifth Republic Birth November 22, 1890 Death November 9, 1970 Place of Birth Lille, France Official Title President Terms 1959-1965 1965-1969 Known For Leading French resistance to the Nazis during World War II Creating the Fifth Republic and advancing France's role as a world power Milestones 1940 Was appointed undersecretary of state of national defense and war 1940-1944 Served as president of the Free French, the French government-in-exile in London 1945-1946 Served as president of the provisional government in France 1947-1953 Led the Rally of the French People, a new political party 1959 Became president of the Fifth Republic 1962 Granted Algeria independence 1965 Was elected to a second term as president of France 1966 Withdrew French forces from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which he believed was dominated by the United States 1967 Effected the withdrawal of NATO from France 1969 Resigned following the rejection of his proposal for Senate reorganization, which would have increased the power of the president Quote 'How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?' Quoted in Newsweek magazine, October 1, 1962. Did You Know In 1967 de Gaulle infuriated the Canadian government by calling for a free Québec during his visit. De Gaulle wrote a book on military tactics in 1934 that the French initially ignored; its theories were proved correct during World War II. De Gaulle was convicted of treason in absentia for encouraging the French people to oppose the 1940 armistice with Germany. During World War I de Gaulle was wounded several times and taken prisoner by the Germans. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.