Gaullism

Gaullism is a French political tradition inspired by Charles de Gaulle, emphasizing national independence, a strong executive, and a powerful state.

Charles de Gaulle: Charles de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led Free France and founded the Fifth Republic. His wartime leadership and presidency supplied Gaullism’s central model of national authority.
Free France: Free France was the movement led by de Gaulle that continued France’s fight against the Axis after the 1940 armistice. Its claim to represent France in defeat established de Gaulle’s political authority.
French Fifth Republic: The French Fifth Republic is the constitutional regime established in 1958, with a president holding substantial executive authority. De Gaulle designed its institutions to overcome the instability associated with parliamentary government.
French nuclear deterrence: French nuclear deterrence is France’s strategy of maintaining nuclear forces to deter threats to its vital interests. De Gaulle pursued an independent nuclear force to reduce reliance on allied protection.
Bonapartism: Bonapartism is a political tradition favoring a strong personal executive claiming direct popular legitimacy, associated with the Bonaparte regimes. Both traditions value executive authority, but Gaullism arose from a distinct republican and wartime context.
French nationalism: French nationalism is the political commitment to France’s national identity, sovereignty, and collective interests. Gaullism treats France as an independent nation whose interests should guide state policy.
French Resistance: The French Resistance comprised movements opposing German occupation and the Vichy regime during World War II. Resistance networks helped turn de Gaulle’s wartime leadership into a national political legacy.
French Constitution of 1958: The French Constitution of 1958 established the institutions of the Fifth Republic and strengthened the presidency. Its provisions gave constitutional form to Gaullist ideas about executive leadership.
Force de frappe: The Force de frappe is France’s independent nuclear strike force, developed under de Gaulle. It made national independence tangible in the military sphere.
French communism: French communism is the movement and political tradition organized around communist parties and socialist transformation in France. The French Communist Party opposed de Gaulle’s politics, despite sharing support for a strong state in some periods.

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