Charles de Gaulle's conception of international relations and of
France's global role heavily influenced France's foreign policy during
and after his tenure in office. Building his presidency on the support
of the French people, expressed through national referenda and presi-
dential and parliamentary elections, de Gaulle dominated the French
government and determined its foreign policy initiatives abroad. From
the inception of the Fifth Republic in May 1958, de Gaulle indelibly
stamped its institutions with his personality. Succeeding a confusing
parade of prime ministers, cabinet heads, and legislators under the
Fourth and Third Republics, de Gaulle as President of the Republic
spoke for France. As his successive prime ministers -- Michel Debré,
Georges Pompidou, and Couve de Murville -- discovered, their per-
sonal discretion and maneuverability were sharply defined by what he
would tolerate. During the Fourth Republic, or after his resignation
from the presidency, Gaullism could exist without de Gaulle. Between
May 1958 and April 1969, the two were inseparable; ¹ for over a
decade, the Fifth Republic was the de Gaulle republic. ²

Rationalizing de Gaulle's views is not easy. While few would dis-
pute his great influence on French foreign policy, there is consider-
ably less accord on the intent of his words and deeds or the specific
political objectives that he was pursuing at any given moment. ³ Dis-

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