2 ms·

One of the most controversial facts of the recent history of France is how the General de Gaulle came back to power in 1958 through a coup [1]. This isn't and p

by srrge 9y ago

One of the most controversial facts of the recent history of France is how the General de Gaulle came back to power in 1958 through a coup [1]. This isn't and probably will never be taught in class because the General is the founding father of our current constitution. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_de_Gaulle#1958:_Collapse_of_the_Fourth_Republic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_de_Gaulle#1958:_Collap...

achamayou 9y ago
But it is taught in class, and the reason it isn't characterised as a "coup" is because the president at the time (Coty) took the decision to call on De Gaulle to take emergency powers (a decision the parliament endorsed). A new constitution was drafted and put to a referendum, before a general election. The reason it isn't talked about very much outside the communist party is because it isn't nearly as controversial as you suggest.
brmgb 9y ago
That's not a particularly fair presentation of the events of 1958. There was indeed a coup but De Gaulle became prime minister and was given emergency power for six months by the national assembly all according to the Constitution of the fourth republic. The coup of 1958 didn't happen in metropolitan France. It was lead by generals in Algeria. It certainly helped the decision of calling De Gaulle back to power but "through a coup" is stretching it. The new constitution was then enacted by a referendum, new election called and De Gaulle was elected again. By the way, it's hardly not taught. That's part of the official curriculum for the class of première (at least for L and ES). As a side note, Mitterrand used to call the fifth republic constitution "the permanent coup". That didn't stop him from using the large power it gives to the executive when he became president.

2 ms·

One of the most controversial facts of the recent history of France is how the General de Gaulle came back to power in 1958 through a coup [1]. This isn't and p

by srrge 9y ago

achamayou 9y ago
But it is taught in class, and the reason it isn't characterised as a "coup" is because the president at the time (Coty) took the decision to call on De Gaulle to take emergency powers (a decision the parliament endorsed). A new constitution was drafted and put to a referendum, before a general election. The reason it isn't talked about very much outside the communist party is because it isn't nearly as controversial as you suggest.
brmgb 9y ago
That's not a particularly fair presentation of the events of 1958. There was indeed a coup but De Gaulle became prime minister and was given emergency power for six months by the national assembly all according to the Constitution of the fourth republic. The coup of 1958 didn't happen in metropolitan France. It was lead by generals in Algeria. It certainly helped the decision of calling De Gaulle back to power but "through a coup" is stretching it. The new constitution was then enacted by a referendum, new election called and De Gaulle was elected again. By the way, it's hardly not taught. That's part of the official curriculum for the class of première (at least for L and ES). As a side note, Mitterrand used to call the fifth republic constitution "the permanent coup". That didn't stop him from using the large power it gives to the executive when he became president.