Charles de Gaulle’s maverick foreign policy – wildly popular on the campaign trail at home – infuriated both superpowers. Showing independence from the Americans, he withdrew France from the military structure of NATO (but not its political structure to hedge his bets), expelled US troops and the NATO Headquarters, and denounced American involvement in Vietnam. Moreover, he pursued a French nuclear deterrent without an American finger on the trigger.
But de Gaulle was no Soviet apologist, not least because his main domestic opponents were the powerful French Communist Party (PCF), then in its heyday. Accordingly, on visiting Moscow, de Gaulle gratuitously insulted communism, to Brezhnev’s surprise and annoyance.
This talk evaluates the foreign policy of France's often unpredictable President.
This lecture is part of the 'European Leaders in the Cold War' lecture series, taking place on Fridays from 18 October to 22 November 2024. You may either register for individual lectures or you may choose to register for the entire lecture series at a reduced price.
Please note: this lecture will close to enrolments at 23:59 BST on 22 October 2024.