'Great moral courage: The French thought they knew de Gaulle and suddenly realized they didn't'
Summary
A British historian, Julian Jackson, discusses how Charles de Gaulle’s role during World War II was more complex than many French people realized. De Gaulle insisted that France had not been defeated forever and worked with Allied leaders to keep France’s importance alive during and after the war.Key Facts
- Julian Jackson is a historian and author who wrote a well-known biography of Charles de Gaulle.
- His new book, "La Chute: France 1940," covers the fall of France and the uncertainty during that time.
- De Gaulle refused to accept that France was permanently defeated in 1940.
- He had complicated relationships with Allied leaders Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt.
- The U.S. initially dismissed France as no longer a major power after its defeat.
- De Gaulle’s determination helped keep France’s role alive in the war and shaped the country’s future.
- Recent films and renewed interest show de Gaulle as a more complex figure than the common national image.
- The historian emphasizes that history is uncertain and what seems clear after the fact was uncertain when it happened.
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