FIRST REFORM OF GOVERNMENT
By 1944, Charles de Gaulle was considered the leader of the entire French Resistance Movement by
almost every resistance fighter. In August of 1944, German collaborators in Paris tried to retake Paris during
a parade de Gaulle was in (Associated Press 1-2). In September of 1944, de Gaulle formed a temporary
government with himself as president. By October, de Gaulle’s temporary government was recognized as the
government of France by the United States and England. French leaders began working on a new permanent
government for France called the “ Fourth Republic”. This would consist of a “ strong legislative body and a
weaker president ”. De Gaulle did not agree with the new government, so he resigned on January 10th, 1946
(Bigelow 4).
almost every resistance fighter. In August of 1944, German collaborators in Paris tried to retake Paris during
a parade de Gaulle was in (Associated Press 1-2). In September of 1944, de Gaulle formed a temporary
government with himself as president. By October, de Gaulle’s temporary government was recognized as the
government of France by the United States and England. French leaders began working on a new permanent
government for France called the “ Fourth Republic”. This would consist of a “ strong legislative body and a
weaker president ”. De Gaulle did not agree with the new government, so he resigned on January 10th, 1946
(Bigelow 4).
“We went down the street on foot. At the sight of General de Gaulle, the inhabitants stood in a kind of daze, then burst into cheers or into tears. Coming out of their houses, they followed me in the grip of an extraordinary emotion. The children surrounded me. The women were smiling and sobbing. The men held out their hands. We moved on together, all overwhelmed by this sense of fraternity, as we felt the joy, the pride, the hope of the nation rise against from the depths of the abyss.” - de Gaulle describing this first physical interaction in Paris on his return in August 1944
“Our people, the collectivity of 42 million French men and women, will again begin to exercise their right to vote…. the municipal and departmental elections will be held next spring…. These elections will take place in a spirit of human dignity and freedom of opinions, which must mark the choice of citizens in a nation like ours, accustomed to democracy... The elections will be held under the aegis of a single protection- that of the Republican State which is exercised by the Government and its appointed and responsible representatives.” -Charles de Gaulle January 1st, 1945 to the people of France