Andy O’Steen
Mrs. Hals
World History P-4
May 27, 2013
Charles De Gaulle
Charles De Gualle was a French General born November 22, 1890. He was also a statesman who led the Free French Forces during WW1. Charles De Galle later became the president for 10 years. He changed France in many ways. And he was a key component to their success and destruction.
Charles was born in the industrial region of Lille. His parents, Henri and Jeanne had 5 kids. Henri was a teacher, and Jeanne was from a family of wealthy entrepreneurs. Charles learned and enjoyed French history from a young age. He loved reading and learning from his dads studies and books. When he was 8, he was humiliated and said “The most traumatic event of my childhood” he was ran out by the British. At age 11, they moved to Paris. He went to college in Paris at the College Stanislas. As he grew older he had a strong belief in destiny, success, and achievement. Still wanting revenge when the French were defeated in 1870, he thought a military career was best.
Before Charles could become a officer, the new rules said he had to spend a year as an ordinary soldier. He moved up over time in the chain. But he did not like barrack life. He said it was pointless and old fashioned way of training. It was damaging the new and best recruits. After that he spent 4 years in the elite military academy. He was mocked with the nick name “The Great Asparagus”. He graduated with multiply awards in 1912, he was 13th out of 210 cadets. His report aid he was a very gifted soldier who could go on and make a difference. He then joined the 33rd regiment of the French Army.
In World War 1, De Gualle was under command of General Petain. Their regiment was said to be one of the best fighting units in France. He was then promoted to platoon commander. This was a fierce and fighting position, he soon got hurt. In 1915 he received an award for his bravery. After that, he was promoted to captain. Facing death many times, like when a mine exploded no him injuring his left hand. He was injuried in battle many times. After multiply victories e was named commander-in-chief. He was then captured and became a prisoner of war, and wrote his first book. He tried to escape, but never succeeded. He was upset that he wasn’t helping be apart of the victory. In 1918, he eventually went back to in fathers house. He reunited with his family and brothers, who were also in the war and survived.
De Gaulle lead his country though the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. He was the Leader of the Free French, and lead has a colonel in WW2. He also made his impact on D-Day. Charles De Gualle made a big contribution to France in so many areas. When I think of France in the 20th century, how could I not think of General Charles De Gualle.
" Charles de Gaulle Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com ." Famous Biographies & TV Shows - Biography.com . N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2013. <http://www.biography.com/people/charles-de-gaulle-9269794>.
"BBC - History - Historic Figures: Charles de Gaulle (1890 - 1970)." BBC - Homepage. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2013. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/gaulle_charles_de.shtml>.
JOFFE, JOSEF. "Charles in Charge - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2013. <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E3DF1438F93AA2575BC0A9649D8B63&ref=charlesdegaulle>.
