1. Consequences of the Second World War for France.

2. Fourth Republic.

3. France during the Fifth Republic.

1. Three interconnected stages define the history of the post-war development of France. The first period (1944-1946) was a temporary regime, during which a Provisional Government was formed, a new post-war constitution was developed, and economic recovery began; the second (from December 1946 to 1958) - the time of the Fourth Republic; third - after the adoption of the new Constitution of 1958, the period of the Fifth Republic continues.

Post-war situation in France and the temporary regime. The Second World War deeply shook the entire political and economic system of France. The Third Republic, which had existed since 1875, was abolished; 10% of France's productive forces were destroyed and production levels declined. During the war, its colonial empire began to disintegrate.

By the end of the war, a new political balance of power had emerged. Since August 30, 1944, a Provisional Government led by General de Gaulle, the leader of the Free France movement, operated in France. The Resistance Movement had a great influence on the formation of the party-political system and on the nature of the new constitution. Political parties that compromised themselves with conciliatory policies and cooperation with the German occupiers were dissolved. The government included representatives of political parties that took part in the Resistance: communists, socialists, Catholics, etc.

The provisional government carried out a number of socio-economic reforms. It increased wages, pensions, and benefits for large families. The leaders of the Vichy government, Laval and Pétain, were sentenced to death (for Pétain it was commuted to life imprisonment). The nationalization of coal mines, Renault automobile plants and other enterprises was one of the first major industrial events.

In the internal political life of France, the issue of state structure was acute. As a result of contradictions with the majority of the Constituent Assembly, de Gaulle resigned on January 20, 1946. The socialist F. Gouin was appointed head of the government, and from June 1946, the head of the People's Republican Movement (MRP) J. Bidault. In September, the Constituent Assembly adopted a draft of a new constitution, which was approved by referendum.

2. Fourth Republic (1946-1958). Economic growth. In accordance with the constitution, France was proclaimed a parliamentary republic. The constitution contained the democratic and social rights of workers: to work, rest, education, state assistance in case of disability, to create trade union associations, to strike; equality of women; proportional election system.

The central place in the structure of state power belonged to the parliament, which consisted of two chambers - the National Assembly and the Senate (Council of the Republic). The head of state was elected for seven years by both houses. On November 10, 1946, elections to the National Assembly were held in France.

The needs of economic recovery led to the fact that most of the capital investments began to be directed to industry. This allowed us to accelerate the pace of its development. In 1948, industrial production in France exceeded pre-war levels. In agriculture, this level was surpassed in 1950.

A distinctive feature of the restoration of the country's national economy was the programming of the economy. In 1947, the government approved the “plan for modernization and reconstruction.” Methods of government regulation also included the provision of government loans, tax breaks, large contracts, foreign currency, etc. to large private enterprises.

In international relations, the constitution provided for the renunciation of wars of conquest and the policy of forced colonization. Together with its colonies, France formed the French Union, the population of which formally received equal rights and responsibilities.

In the summer of 1948, France joined the Marshall Plan and entered into a number of economic, political and military agreements with the United States. France joined NATO and supported plans for the remilitarization of West Germany. On May 9, 1950, R. Schumann, Minister of Foreign Affairs, came up with the idea of ​​​​combining the production of coal and steel in Western Europe (“Schumann Plan”). In April 1951, six countries (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg) entered into an agreement to create the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).

In 1952, France initiated the signing of the Treaty on the European Defense Community. There was a fierce struggle over its ratification in the country. The National Assembly rejected the European Defense Community treaty.

However, the political instability of the governments of the Fourth Republic restrained the country's economic growth - about 15 cabinets were replaced in 12 years. In the 50s, social conflicts intensified. Another reason for the crisis in the republic was the colonial wars waged by France in Vietnam (1946-1954) and Algeria (since 1954).

The Republican Front government, led by socialist Guy Mollet, recognized the independence of Tunisia and Morocco in 1956, but continued the war in Algeria. In April 1958, another political crisis erupted in France. The military and ultra-colonialists rebelled. The rebels' goal was to create a military dictatorship.

After brief negotiations between the leadership of the republic and General de Gaulle, the question of granting the former leader special powers to form a “government of national salvation” was raised. On June 1, 1958, de Gaulle was confirmed as head of government with emergency powers. On June 2, de Gaulle dissolved the National Assembly. These events marked the end of the Fourth Republic in France.

3. Fifth Republic and the period of the presidency of Charles de Gaulle (1958 - 1969). Having once again acted as the savior of the nation, de Gaulle focused his attention on developing a new constitution that would limit the rights of parliament and strengthen presidential power. A referendum held in September 1958 approved a new constitution, which created a mixed presidential-parliamentary regime in France.

Supporters of de Gaulle created a new political party on October 1, 1958, the “Union for the Defense of the New Republic” (UNR).

Elections to the National Assembly were held according to a majoritarian system in two rounds in intense political struggle. As a result of the elections, de Gaulle's UNR party received the majority of parliamentary seats in parliament, and in December 1958, de Gaulle was elected president of the republic.

The president, elected for seven years, received broad powers in the sphere of domestic and foreign policy: he had the functions of the head of state, the supreme commander in chief. He appointed the prime minister and ministers and approved laws passed by parliament. He could have declared a state of emergency. The legislative competence of the French parliament was limited. The President could dissolve the National Assembly, but the Assembly itself could not control the President. A presidential republic was established in France.

The French Union was transformed into a community. In 1960, most of the French colonies in Africa became independent and formed 14 independent states. Thanks to flexible policies, France retained significant political and economic influence in these regions.

In March 1962, a ceasefire agreement was signed in Evian to grant independence to Algeria.

In the 60s, France underwent a deep structural restructuring of the economy and technological modernization. One of the effective forms was “big projects”, in which foreign capital also participated. The scientific and technological revolution led to the widespread introduction of conveyor production, automation, and electronic computers. New industries have received significant development - the nuclear and rocket industries. The production of consumer goods (cars, refrigerators, televisions, washing machines) also grew.

Agriculture was significantly modernized. Its structure has changed dramatically. It has evolved into a modern commercial farming industry, closely integrated with the processing industry. France has become the largest food exporter in Western Europe.

The most important actions in foreign policy were France's withdrawal from the NATO military organization and the withdrawal of American bases from the country's territory. De Gaulle condemned the American intervention in Vietnam. Relations with the USSR were improved and an important declaration was adopted to establish an atmosphere of detente between East and West. At the same time, France created its own nuclear-missile triad.

“Red May” (1968) and the resignation of de Gaulle. Despite the successes of De Gaulle's regime, the internal situation in France at the end of the 60s became increasingly tense. During the parliamentary elections of 1967, leftist groups, called “Tochists” (from the French “gauch” - left), noticeably became more active.

In May-June 1968, the political crisis in the country resulted in violent clashes in society. The events began with student protests for the democratization of the higher education system and fundamental changes in the state and social system of the country. On May 3, police dispersed a student rally in the courtyard of the Sorbonne University. Many students were beaten, injured and arrested. These events excited the whole country. Hundreds of thousands of Parisians demonstrated in protest against the Gaullist regime.

The workers, supporting the students, fought for pressing economic and social demands. About 10 million people took part in the general strike. Farmers spoke out for tax cuts and protection from competitors from the Common Market countries.

The result of these speeches was serious concessions on the part of the government and entrepreneurs: wages were increased by 13-15%. The government promised to restore the 40-hour working week without reducing wages. Workers were guaranteed respect for trade union freedoms at enterprises, and students were guaranteed an improvement in the education system.

The events in France had an international response. A surge of discontent and student unrest swept across European countries and the United States.

Despite winning the elections, in order to ease social conflicts and channel them into compromise and social partnership, de Gaulle decided to carry out a number of reforms. On April 27, 1969, a referendum was held in the country on a bill on a new regional division of France and Senate reform. Instead of traditional departments, it was proposed to establish districts with representative “professional groups” and an executive branch headed by appointed prefects. The results of the referendum turned out to be unfavorable for de Gaulle: 52.41% of its participants answered “no”. On the same day, General de Gaulle announced his resignation from the presidency.

France in the 70s. Regrouping of party and political forces. In the elections held in June 1969, Georges Pompidou (1969-1974) was elected president. He announced the continuation of de Gaulle’s course, describing it as “continuity and dialogue.” At the same time, he began searching for a compromise with the right-wing opposition. The leader of the “independent republicans”, V. Giscard d’Estaing, was introduced into the government.

Domestically, Pompidou proclaimed a policy of creating a “new society” in which workers could take part in the “management of production.” As his political position strengthened, Pompidou began a radical purge of the Gaullist movement. In 1971, the party was renamed the “Union of Democrats in Defense of the Republic” (UDR). Georges Pompidou actively nominated representatives of the younger generation of Gaullists for leading positions in the party and government. The leader of this group was Jacques Chirac, in whom Pompidou saw his successor.

In the run-up to the 1972 parliamentary elections, the restructuring of other political parties continued. Soon the party of radicals and radical socialists split into two movements. In 1971, the socialists united, the party received the name of the French Socialist Party (FSP), and F. Mitterrand became its leader. He tried to make cooperation with the communists lasting. French diplomacy achieved the conclusion of a new Atlantic Charter in 1974, which strengthened the principles of collegiality in activities with NATO. Relations with China, Egypt, and Iraq were improved. As part of the new military doctrine, North Africa was declared a “sphere of vital interests.”

During this period, the socio-economic strategy changed: there was a turn towards neoliberalism and effective market relations. The aggravation of the internal party struggle in the South Democratic Republic affected the elections in March 1973. The South Democratic Republic lost 4 million votes. For the first time, the crisis of Gaullism was openly revealed. The sudden death of President J. Pompidou in 1974 again raised the question of choosing a strategy for the country's development for the following years.

After a period of organizational and political restructuring, the centrist movement revived. The leader of the new generation of centrists - “independent republicans” and a number of other small parties, which received the general name “Union for French Democracy” (UDF) - was Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1974-1981), who at the April 1974 In the presidential elections he was elected president. The representative of the South Democratic Republic, J. Chirac, became Prime Minister.

The presidency of V. Giscard d’Estaing coincided with a period when the French economy was drawn into a period of deep crisis that followed the “oil shock”. Against the backdrop of a decline in business activity, a program was adopted in 1975 to revive economic life by promoting consumption. For 1976-1980 the seventh five-year plan was developed, which provided for increasing employment, eliminating the budget deficit, etc.

Post-Gollistek France. Before the presidential elections, a regrouping of political forces took place in the government and opposition camps. In 1976, the leader of the South Democratic Republic, J. Chirac, resigned as prime minister. The YDR was transformed into a broad coalition “Uniting in Support of the Republic” (URR). It declared loyalty to Gaullism.

In 1981, the Union for French Democracy nominated V. Giscard d'Estaing as a presidential candidate. After a sharp internal struggle, the OPR decided on the candidacy of J. Chirac. The government coalition thus found itself split. Large pre-election differences also emerged in the opposition parties. The extraordinary congress of the FSP in January 1981 nominated F. Mitterrand as a presidential candidate. The communists proposed the candidacy of J. Marchais.

The presidential and parliamentary elections of 1981, after 23 years of rule by right-wing parties, brought victory to the left. The socialist François Mitterrand (1981-1995) became the president of the country, and the socialists also had an absolute majority of seats in the National Assembly. The government was formed by P. Maurois. For the first time since 1947, communists entered the coalition government.

However, the alliance of leftist forces began to rule the country at a difficult time. The primary task of the new government was to lead the country out of the economic crisis. F. Mitterrand's policy was to further expand government intervention in the economy. A law was passed on the nationalization of 18 banks, two financial and five largest industrial firms. In addition, some metallurgical and military companies were placed under state control. Social programs were expanded, and state control over prices and wages was introduced.

However, by the mid-1980s, a crisis in leftist rule emerged in France. From mid-1982, the government turned to austerity policies, which resulted in rising unemployment. Indirect taxes, as well as taxes on personal income and household services, have increased.

Return to power of the right forces. In the elections to the National Assembly held in March 1986, right-wing parties received a majority and formed their own government led by OPR leader J. Chirac. The new government immediately announced its intention to denationalize a number of state-controlled companies and enterprises.

In a short period of time, the new government prepared about 30 bills that provided for the provision of benefits to capital, the abolition of price controls and taxes on large fortunes, the denationalization of financial and industrial enterprises, decided to freeze wages, reduced government spending for public needs, carried out another devaluation of the franc, etc. .P. All this caused a violent reaction of protest. In June 1986, millions of French people held a Week of Action to defend their demands. Rallies, demonstrations, and strikes took place throughout the country.

The foreign policy position of France under F. Mitterrand strengthened. Relations with the USA and NATO have intensified. Mitterrand supported the deployment of American medium-range nuclear missiles in Europe. The new military doctrine reflected the strategy of “global containment.” In relation to the USSR, official Paris took a tough position, demanding the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, the abolition of martial law in Poland, and the reduction of Soviet armed forces stationed in Europe. French military forces, as part of a coalition, fought in the Gulf War in 1991.

Mitterrand paid special attention to issues of European integration. The German leader Heinrich Kohl became a reliable partner of F. Mitterrand. The initiatives of the two countries in the field of deepening economic and political integration, the resumption of close military-political cooperation outside the NATO framework made it possible to prepare the concept of the European Union. In 1986, the Single European Act was signed. Even earlier (in 1990), Mitterrand supported the unification of Germany.

The elections to the National Assembly, held in May 1993, brought triumphant success to right-wing parties, which abandoned the radicalism of the left and built their program on the slogans of “responsibility” and “trust”, moderate reforms, the fight against social inequality and unemployment, crime and terrorism .

In 1994, the Channel Tunnel officially opened, connecting France and England.

In May 1995, the leader of the right, the mayor of Paris, Jacques Chirac, won the presidential election. F. Mitterrand was unable to take part in them due to illness. Chirac's new conservative government, which brought him to power on a platform of reducing France's high unemployment rate, had the support of large majorities in both houses of parliament.

In 1997, according to the results of early elections to the National Assembly, the bloc of left forces (socialists, communists, “greens”) won. So, under the right-wing president, the left-wing government of the socialist L. Jospin was formed. A balanced, professional and de-ideologized style of action became the hallmark of the new cabinet. This course was called “left realism.”

In all cases, the government avoided extremes and offered constructive compromise solutions to difficult situations. The press called this policy “modernization with a human face.” Tax policy made it possible to reduce the level of the budget deficit and bring it in line with the requirements of the transition procedure to the European monetary system

In foreign policy, J. Chirac made a course correction. The moratorium on nuclear weapons testing was lifted. France returned to the policy of integration into the NATO military structure. But in the late 90s, France began to condemn the US desire for hegemony and returned to European projects.

In 2007, after the expiration of his term of office, Jacques Chirac resigned as president. His party colleague N. Sarkozy was elected president. He intends to normalize relations with the United States. In July 2008, he managed to convene a summit of 48 European and Mediterranean states, at which it was decided to create their union.

During World War II, France was partly occupied by Germany and partly ruled by the government of Marshal Pétain, loyal to Germany. At the same time, there was a Resistance movement both on the territory of France and abroad, whose participants fought for the liberation of the country. The leader of this movement was General Charles de Gaulle, who by the end of the war became a national hero. After the liberation of France, he became the head of the provisional government.

Events

1946- adoption of the constitution of the Fourth Republic (1946-1958). De Gaulle advocated a presidential republic with the broadest powers of the president, but in the end a constitution was adopted, according to which France's form of government became closer to a parliamentary republic, and the power of the president was quite weak. De Gaulle resigned and went into opposition.

1946- the beginning of the decolonization of France: its protectorates Syria and Lebanon received independence. Subsequently, France lost almost all of its colonies - in Indochina, Africa, etc.

1954- An anti-French uprising begins in Algeria. Algeria had the status not of a colony, but of one of the departments of France; a large number of ethnic French lived in it. The struggle was very fierce and split French society into those who were ready to give up Algeria and those who were ready to hold on to it at any cost.

1958- at the peak of the Algerian crisis, de Gaulle becomes prime minister with emergency powers. The Constitution of the Fifth Republic is adopted (in force to this day), presidential powers are significantly expanded, and in January 1959 de Gaulle becomes president.

1962- Algerian independence declared.

1966- France is leaving NATO. France was one of the founding countries of NATO, but de Gaulle did not like the dominance of the United States; under him, France sought to pursue an independent foreign policy.

May 1968- mass protests of students and workers, known as Red May. The first to speak were the students, many of whom shared leftist ideas; they protested against the general atmosphere of unfreedom in the country and against de Gaulle personally, who was considered a usurper who also belonged to a bygone era. Student demonstrations were dispersed by the police, but the students were soon joined by millions of workers dissatisfied with their situation. The government managed to quell the unrest, but de Gaulle's position was shaken; in 1969 he retired. After de Gaulle's resignation and until today, France has been characterized by relative political stability.

October - November 2005- riots in France. After decolonization, many residents of the former colonies (primarily from Africa - both Black and Arab) immigrated to France and received French citizenship. However, the level of their integration into French society turned out to be quite low. This social group is characterized by compact living in disadvantaged areas and a high level of unemployment. It was in such areas that mass unrest broke out in the fall of 2005, expressed in clashes with the police, arson of cars and shops, pogroms and looting. These events launched another round of discussion about the problems of social integration of migrants.

January 7, 2015- a terrorist attack by Islamists on the editorial office of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which published, among other things, cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. 12 people were killed; in terms of the number of victims, this terrorist attack is the largest in the history of France. The terrorists' actions sparked millions of people in protest and solidarity with the victims around the world (see: Charlie Hebdo).

Conclusion

The post-war history of France, at first associated with a certain instability associated with the processes of decolonization, was later characterized by fairly stable development and the absence of significant shocks, with the exception of the events of May 1968. At the moment, the main threats and problems in France are related to the situation of people from former French colonies, as well as Islamist terrorism.

In 1946, the year after the end of World War II, the so-called Fourth Republic, which existed until 1958. This period in French history is characterized by economic and industrial restoration associated with the “Marshall Plan” (American financial assistance to European countries in exchange for actual dependence in foreign affairs). IN 1949 France joined NATO. The same period of time is characterized by the beginning of the fall of colonial France: Syria and Lebanon gained independence. At the same time, France supported the reactionary regime in Indochina, sending its troops there. In 1951, together with Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, France joined the European Coal and Steel Community - the prototype of the European Union (EU).

Rice. 1. Charles de Gaulle ()

IN 1958 a general came to power (see Fig. 1). In the same year, the Constitution was adopted in a referendum (popular vote). Fifth Republic, which significantly expanded the functions of the president. During de Gaulle's reign, France experienced the collapse of the colonial system. In the 1960s France lost almost all of its colonies - Algeria, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, Senegal and others. In 1968, the so-called " May events" Due to the crisis of overproduction, French youth and students found themselves in a state of mass unemployment, and living conditions worsened. Strict administrative orders reigned on university campuses. In early May 1968, a student demonstration was brutally dispersed by the police. The students who went on strike were joined by trade unions, whose members were also in a depressing socio-economic situation. The demonstrations were ruthlessly suppressed by troops and police, which further aroused the anger of the strikers and the sympathy of ordinary French people. More and more French people demanded de Gaulle's resignation and social change. Eventually "Red May" marked the beginning of the crisis of the Fifth Republic and a year later dismissed President de Gaulle (see Fig. 2).

Rice. 2. “Red May” in Paris ()

IN 1969 came to power Gaullist (de Gaulle supporter)Georges Pompidou. Began "30th Anniversary of Prosperity". Social and economic transformations were carried out, agriculture was modernized, and large investments were made in the computerization and informatization of France. In foreign policy, there has been a process of rapprochement between capitalist France and the USSR.

Pompidou's successor 1974 became Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, who continued the modernization of French industry and economy. Particular emphasis began to be placed on development and high-tech programs. In foreign policy, France began to gradually return to the fold of American politics and the North Atlantic alliance - NATO. The second half of the term coincided with a strong economic crisis, which resulted in a policy of “austerity”, which led to the virtual cessation of funding for French territories in tropical Africa and soon their loss.

IN 1981 a socialist was elected as the new president of France Francois Mitterrand(see Fig. 3). Under him, economic growth began, many social programs were implemented, and a turn towards another rapprochement with the USSR was begun.

Rice. 3. Francois Mitterrand and Mikhail Gorbachev ()

IN 1995 became the new president Jacques Chirac, under which France returned to the position of Gaullism in foreign policy, i.e. distancing from the United States while remaining in the NATO bloc. In domestic policy, Chirac adhered to liberalism and at the same time allowed himself state intervention in the market.

IN 2007 was elected president of France Nicolas Sarkozy. Under him, France began to play one of the leading roles in European politics. Being, in the context of the economic crisis of 2008, a leading European power, France, along with Germany, became the outposts of EU politics and economics. In foreign policy, France Sarkozy was a staunch supporter European integration. During the Georgian-Ossetian conflict of 2008, Sarkozy acted as a mediator between the warring parties.

IN 2012 Sarkozy lost the presidential election, giving his seat to a socialist Francois Hollande(see Fig. 4).

Rice. 4. French President Hollande ()

Bibliography

1. Shubin A.V. General history. Recent history. 9th grade: textbook. For general education institutions. - M.: Moscow textbooks, 2010.
2. Soroko-Tsyupa O.S., Soroko-Tsyupa A.O. General history. Recent history, 9th grade. - M.: Education, 2010.
3. Sergeev E.Yu. General history. Recent history. 9th grade. - M.: Education, 2011.

Homework

1. Read paragraph 19, pp. 197-200 of A.V. Shubin’s textbook, and answer question 4 on p. 202.
2. Why was French foreign policy aimed at maneuvering between the USSR and the USA?
3. How can the events of Red May be explained?

1. Internet portal Coldwar.ru ().
2. Internet portal Marksist.blox.u/ ().
3. Expert().

France in the second half of the 20th century. Let us remember what happened to France during World War II. Before the war there was a Third Republic (). It was a presidential republic. In 1940, the northern part of France was occupied by the Germans, and the collaborationist regime of Marshal Pétain was formed in the southern part. The Third Republic thus fell. French leader Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain greets Adolphe Hitlar at Montoir-sur-la-Loire on October 24, 1940. On the right is Reich Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop. In 1944, France was liberated. The main leaders of the Vichy regime were convicted of treason in the years. De Gaulle in liberated Cherbourg. Pierre Laval (), executed in 1945

France in the second half of the 20th century. Charles de Gaulle () In France there was a Provisional Government, which was headed by the main hero of the Resistance, General de Gaulle. The government was a coalition. It included all parties that actively participated in the Resistance, including communists and socialists. The main question was about the nature of the future state structure. There were two main options - a presidential republic and a parliamentary republic.

France in the second half of the 20th century. Charles de Gaulle () As a result, the version of a parliamentary multi-party republic triumphed. De Gaulle didn't like it 1946 - Constitution and establishment of the Fourth Republic regime in France. De Gaulle left for a while. He was a supporter of more right-wing, authoritarian and nationalist ideas. Why do you think de Gaulle, a military-trained man, adhered to the idea of ​​a “presidential republic”?

France in the second half of the 20th century. Lesson plan 1. The Fourth Republic () 2. The Fifth Republic () De Gaulle is in power (). 3. The student revolution of 1968 and the departure of de Gaulle. 4. From the socialist Mitterrand to the neo-Gaullist Sarkozy ()

1. The Fourth Republic () The Constitution of the Fourth Republic did not provide for a strong presidential power independent of parliament. The regime of the Fourth Republic turned out to be unstable. Governments were formed by a coalition of heterogeneous forces. From 1944 to 1958, 26 (!) offices were replaced. The main failure in the policy of the Fourth Republic was the colonial war in Algeria () War in Algeria ()

1. Fourth Republic () On January 8, 1961, after de Gore returned, a referendum was held on the fate of the Algerian problem. 75% of survey participants were in favor of granting independence to Algeria. The war was extremely unpopular among the people. The war in Algeria claimed about 40 thousand lives

1. The Fourth Republic () years became the years of deep political crisis of the IV Republic. A protracted war in Algeria, unsuccessful attempts to form a Council of Ministers, and finally an economic crisis. Rene Coty, the last president of the Fourth Republic Everyone was dissatisfied with the war in Algeria - both those who wanted peace and those far-right forces that did not want to allow Algerian independence. In September 1958, the French parliament approved de Gaulle's new government. Among the French at that time there were many supporters of “strong power”. Who do you think they wanted to see in power?

2. Fifth Republic (...) De Gaulle in power () Charles de Gaulle () 1958 - adoption of a new Constitution and establishment of the Fifth Republic.

2. The Fifth Republic (...) De Gaulle in power () Charles de Gaulle () “When the institutions of the republic, the independence of a nation, the integrity of its territory or the fulfillment of international obligations are seriously and immediately threatened, and the normal functioning of the constitutional organs of state power is disrupted, the president the republic takes measures that are dictated by these circumstances. For this purpose, a simple consultation with the Prime Minister, the Presidents of both Houses of Parliament and the Constitutional Council is sufficient” (from Article 16 of the 1958 Constitution) How can you characterize the power that the President receives in emergency situations under the Constitution of the Fifth Republic?

2. Fifth Republic (...) De Gaulle in power () Charles de Gaulle () 1958 - adoption of a new Constitution and establishment of the Fifth Republic. De Gaulle’s dream of 12 years ago has come true - a republic with strong presidential power. De Gaulle himself, having been elected president, became something of a “national arbiter”

2. The Fifth Republic (...) De Gaulle in Power () Charles de Gaulle - Man of the Year (1958) Time magazine cover “What is the justification for Article 16? I recalled that it was precisely because of the absence of such an article that in June 1940, President Lebrun, instead of moving with the state apparatus to Algeria, called on Marshal Pétain and thereby opened the way to capitulation" (From de Gaulle's memoirs) How de Gaulle justified authoritarianism presidential power in emergency situations? What events in French history influenced de Gaulle's views?

2. Fifth Republic (...) De Gaulle in power () In 1965, Charles de Gaulle was elected to a second term (another 7 lats according to the Constitution). Charles de Gaulle () In 1962, De Gaulle ended the Algerian War by granting independence to Algeria. Read the second paragraph in the “Fifth Republic” section of the 24th paragraph. Highlight the main features of Gaullism. A party of his supporters (now called the Union for a Popular Movement) rallied around de Gaulle. Her ideology was “Gaullism”

2. The Fifth Republic (...) De Gaulle is in power () “Political spectrum”: Extreme left Left Right Extreme right Social democrats Communists Anarchists Conservatives Nationalists To which part of the political spectrum would you classify worms?

3. Student revolution of 1968. What do you know about the student revolution of May 1968? Who took part in it? One of the posters from May 1968 was “Ten lats is enough!” What were the rioting students hinting at? Ironic poster from May 1968. Take a look at the poster. A dark figure gagging a student - who is it? Why do you think De Gaulle, with his authoritarianism, was far from the protest youth of the 1960s?

3. Student revolution of 1968. France in May 1968 was actually divided into “young” and “old”. Street battles between youth and police in the Latin Quarter of Paris did not subside. On May 30, 1968, De Gaulle appeared on television. He declared that he would not leave his post, dissolved the National Assembly and called early elections. The Gaullists won the elections.

3. Student revolution of 1968. However, in 1969, almost 80 years old, de Gaulle left power - voluntarily. De Gaulle was often accused of authoritarianism. Remember how de Gaulle stepped down from power in 1946, when the Fourth Republic was proclaimed. Can he be considered a fully authoritarian politician?

Valary Giscard d Estaing, President of France () Georges Pompidou, President of France (20 June April 1974) After de Gaulle, his course was continued by his devoted supporter Georges Pompidou. He invested a lot of effort in modernizing the country, but died in 1974 from a rare form of leukemia. In the 1974 elections, Valary Giscard d Estaing defeated the socialist Francois Mitterrand in a difficult struggle. “When Giscard looks at me, I feel: he thinks that I am dying too slowly” (Pompidou in 1974)

4. From the socialist Mitterrand to the neo-Gaullist Sarkozy () Francois Mitterrand, President of France Refusal of the policy of neoliberalism. Nationalization of large banks and corporations. Increase in pensions, lower wage threshold.

4. From the socialist Mitterrand to the neo-Gaullist Sarkozy () Jacques Chirac, President of France (from 1995 to 2007) In 1995, the Gaullists in the person of Jacques Chirac returned to power. The current president is Nicolas Sarkozy.

4. From the socialist Mitterrand to the neo-Gaullist Sarkozy () “Political spectrum”: Extreme left Left Right Extreme right Social democrats Communists Anarchists Conservatives Nationalists To which part of the political spectrum can Francois Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac be classified?

De Gaulle was a special kind of intellectual whose life was spent reflecting on the themes of reason, power and the philosophy of history. He repeatedly emphasized that the French have clarity of thought, but they lack the will to act. According to de Gaulle, the state should symbolize moral and cultural values. He considered French civilization to be predominantly democratic, combining a long history of cultural development with freedom, pointing out that “there is a centuries-old pact between the greatness of France and the freedom of the world, therefore democracy is inextricably intertwined with the best understanding of the interests of France.”

Politics of Gaullism

The political philosophy of “Gaullism” was reflected in the constitution of the Fifth Republic, which was created by de Gaulle, and was adopted by 17.5 million votes against 4.5 million.

The main idea of ​​“Gaullism” was the idea of ​​“national greatness” of France. The Gaullists considered a compromise between the main social forces represented in society to be an indispensable condition for achieving national greatness. An important role in ensuring this compromise, according to the “Gaullists,” is played by the parliamentary system, cooperation between parties that reflect the interests of various layers of society. It is also necessary to strengthen the role of the head of state - the leader of the nation.

Until September 1944, almost the entire territory of France was liberated from German occupation by Franco-Anglo-American troops and internal Resistance forces. A major role in the anti-fascist struggle was played by the French Committee of National Liberation, transformed on August 30, 1944 into the Provisional Government of the French Republic, headed by General Charles de Gaulle. The provisional government began to restore state sovereignty and the country's economy in the extremely difficult conditions of post-war devastation. The volume of industrial production decreased to 38%, agricultural production - to 60% of the pre-war level. De Gaulle's government carried out the nationalization of the coal, gas, electrical industries, and a number of large banks; in the social sphere, he implemented measures to protect the poor, increase wages and pensions. In October 1945, elections were held for a Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution. The largest number of parliamentary seats in the Constituent Assembly were received by representatives of the French Communist Party (PCF), the Socialist Party (SFIO) and the Catholic Party "People's Republican Movement" (MPR). In the coalition government (the communists had five ministerial portfolios) there was an intense struggle regarding the state structure of the country. De Gaulle, not finding a common language with the communist-socialist majority, resigned at the beginning of 1946. In December 1946, the new Constitution of France was adopted - the 12-year history of the Fourth Republic began. The Constitution established the universal right to work, rest, social security and education. France was proclaimed a parliamentary republic. The main role in political life was to be played by a bicameral parliament, which also elected the president, who had limited rights.

All governments of the Fourth Republic were coalition and weak: in 12 years - 14 governments. In the spring of 1947, communist ministers who violated government solidarity were removed from the government. Finding themselves outside the government, the communists set a course to destabilize the situation in the country and seize power. The Socialist Party broke its alliance with the communists and began to cooperate with the MRP and the radicals. A new government coalition emerged, known as the “third force” (valid until 1951). In the first half of the 50s, the role of the Union of the French People (RPF), created on the initiative of de Gaulle, increased in the political struggle. At that time, center-right governments were being formed in France, which did not include socialists.

From the late 40s, economic recovery began in France. 1948 industrial production exceeded pre-war levels; In 1956, the volume of industrial production was 2 times higher than the pre-war level. In the mid-50s, modern industries in France (fuel and energy, metallurgical, mechanical engineering, chemical, radio electronics) were swept by a scientific and technological revolution.

In foreign policy, France relied on the integration of Western European countries and the preservation of the colonial empire. 1948 France co-sponsored with Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in the creation of the Western Union for cooperation in the economic, social and military-political spheres. In the same year, France joined the Marshall Plan, according to which it received assistance in the amount of more than $3 billion. In 1949, the state joined the North Atlantic Pact (NATO). 1951 France signed with Germany, Germany,

Belgium. Luxembourg and Holland signed an agreement on the European Coal and Steel Community, which marked the beginning of the creation of the Common Market (1957).

To preserve its colonial possessions, France fought a bloody, unsuccessful war in Indochina (1946-1954). France was forced to grant independence to Laos and Cambodia in 1954, and to Morocco and Tunisia in 1956. However, the most brutal was the French war against the national liberation movement in Algeria (1956-1962). More than 1 million French lived here, who owned the most fertile lands on the Mediterranean coast of Algeria. In Algeria, a reactionary alliance was formed between the army elite and the colonialists, who, in order to preserve the colony, were ready to extend the military conflict to French territory; a coup d'état in Paris was being prepared here. In May 1958, these forces organized a revolt in Algeria and created the Committee of National Salvation. They demanded the establishment of a strong government in France and an intensification of the struggle against the Algerian liberation movement. The country entered a political crisis. On June 1, 1958, the National Assembly approved General de Gaulle as head of government, who received emergency powers. The National Assembly was dissolved and the Fourth Republic ceased to exist.

In September 1958, in a referendum, the French approved a new Constitution drafted by de Gaulle. The Constitution provided for a change in the form of government. France became a presidential republic. The president, who was elected for a 7-year term by general elections, had the powers of head of state, head of the executive branch and commander-in-chief of the armed forces; he appointed the prime minister and persons to the highest government and military positions. The president approved laws that were passed by parliament, but could issue his own decrees without parliamentary approval. He could dissolve parliament and call new elections. In November 1958. Parliamentary elections were held, in which the Union in Defense of the New Republic, created by de Gaulle's supporters, won. In December of this year, de Gaulle was elected the first president of the Fifth Republic.

In domestic policy, the government has set a course for stabilizing the financial system and increasing the competitiveness of industry and agriculture. In the 60s, the modernization of the French economy intensified. During the first 10 years of the Fifth Republic, from 1958 to 1968, industrial production increased by 60%. France has emerged as a modern industrial power with advanced diversified industries, including nuclear and aerospace. 1960 France tests its own nuclear weapons for the first time.

The most pressing foreign policy problem of the Fifth Republic remained the war in Algeria. In 1959, de Gaulle recognized the right of the Algerian people to self-determination (in 1960 he granted independence to almost all African colonies). In Algeria, French officers rebelled and carried out terrorist attacks within France. The rebellion was suppressed and in 1962 Algeria became independent. De Gaulle's government pursued a policy more independent from the United States in NATO: 1964 recognized communist China; 1966 withdrew from the NATO military organization, liquidated NATO military bases on French territory; in 1969 it recognizes the Odra-Neisse border; had a negative attitude towards American aggression in Vietnam.

At the end of the 60s, there was a crisis in the development of the Fifth Republic. French business considered strict government regulation burdensome. Trade unions tried to get rid of the state's excessive guardianship over labor relations. The broad masses were dissatisfied with the government's socio-economic policies. The most acute manifestation of such discontent was the mass protests of students in Paris in May 1968. At the same time, a general strike took place, in which 10 million workers took part. De Gaulle's power and authority were significantly shaken. In April 1969, at a referendum on administrative reform, de Gaulle's proposals did not receive support, and he resigned. In the elections held in June, a representative of the Gol-Nazi party, Georges Pompidou (1969-1974), was elected as the new president. Government Zhe. Pompe-do, taking into account the mood of the masses, weakened state regulation of the economy and expanded social legislation. Relations with the USA have improved. After Pompidou's death, Valéry Giscard Estena (1974-1981) was elected president, who continued the political course of his predecessor.

In 1981, in conditions of an acute economic crisis, a bloc of leftist parties came to power in France. Socialist François Mitterrand became president. The government formed by leftist forces tried to get out of the crisis not by limiting government intervention, as in the UK and the USA, but by further spreading it. A number of large banks and some industrial enterprises were nationalized, social programs were expanded, and laws on the rights of workers and trade unions were adopted. All this led to increased inflation and a fall in the exchange rate of the franc. And the introduction of state control over prices and wages only caused mass discontent. In the parliamentary elections of 1986, the left was defeated. Mitterrand was forced to appoint Jacques Chirac, the leader of the Gaullist party Rally for the Republic (ROR), as prime minister. For the first time in the history of the Fifth Republic, the president and prime minister found themselves in different political blocs. Government Zhe. Chirac followed the path paved by M. Thatcher, denationalizing certain industrial groups and banks, weakening government regulation of business, and cutting social spending. 1988 F. Mitteran again won the presidential election. But in the 1993 parliamentary elections, right-wing parties won an absolute majority of seats. OPR representative E. Balladura was appointed Prime Minister. The new government resumed the privatization that had begun in the late 1980s. Chirac, and sold the bulk of the financial and industrial companies that were still in the public sector. 20 large banks, aviation and oil refineries passed into private hands, including such well-known ones as the Renault company, the Lyon Credit bank, the Rhone-Poulenc chemical concern and the like. The public sector remained railways, metro, power plants, post office, and several coal mines. An important component of E. Balladur's domestic policy was measures aimed at limiting immigration. Gradually, the socio-economic situation in the country began to normalize, the pace of industrial production accelerated, inflation decreased, and the growth of unemployment slowed down. E. Balladur became an extremely popular politician in France. In May 1995, Jacques Chirac won the presidential election in a bitter struggle (in 2002 he was re-elected president for a second term). The seriously ill F. Mitterrand died in January 1996.

In domestic politics, President Zhe. Chirac and Prime Minister Alain Juppé announced a reduction in the budget deficit, reduction in inflation and France's entry into the European Monetary Union in 1999. They set out to reduce spending on social security and the maintenance of the state apparatus, as well as increasing some taxes. All these government decisions caused acute discontent in society. In the fall of 1995, France was gripped by a wave of strikes and mass protests against the government's economic reforms. The situation was further aggravated by the government's decision to reorganize the national railway company (partial privatization of a number of railway lines and job cuts), whose total debt to the state amounted to 175 billion francs. The railway workers were the first to join the fight to preserve their social rights. They were soon supported by workers of the capital's metro, energy workers, postal workers, healthcare workers, as well as lyceum students and students who demanded increased allocations for education and the creation of new jobs. Under public pressure, the Juppé government was forced to suspend reforms and enter into negotiations with trade unions to correct them.

The echo of the 1995 strikes affected the early elections to the national assembly in May - June 1997 - the right lost. In parliament, the left (socialists, communists, etc.), joining forces, were able to form a government majority. In the same situation. Chirac, just like F. Mitterrand in his time, applied the tactics of “coexistence” and appointed the socialist Lionel Jospin as prime minister. In the government, socialists occupied 18 of 27 ministerial positions. The communists, after 13 years of opposition, also entered the government; 8 ministerial positions were occupied by women. L. Jospin proposed to the French the “Republican Pact of Development and Solidarity,” which provided for the consolidation of equality between men and women, the easing of immigration laws, guarantees of judicial independence, and ensuring freedom of information. Using methods of state regulation, the government of L. Jospin managed to reduce the state budget deficit and reduce taxes, which contributed to the growth of industrial production from 1.7% in 1996 to 6.7% in 1997. The pace of economic development accelerated, the GDP growth rate was 3%, inflation did not exceed 1%, the state budget deficit was brought to 3% of GDP. The success of economic policy has enabled the government and local authorities to increase the number of jobs in the public sector, where 24% of the working population is employed, and to reduce unemployment. The country began a gradual transition to a 35-year working week, which ended in 2000. The government abolished compulsory military service in 1997 and increased the minimum wage. In September 2000, a referendum was held in France to reduce the presidential term from 7 to 5 years. 73% of its participants were in favor of a five-year term. For many decades, the “Corsican issue” remained relevant for the French leadership. In January 2002, the French President approved a law on the status of Corsica, which provided it until 2004. additional powers in the field of economics, social policy and culture. Corsica remained an integral part of France.

In April - May 2002, presidential elections took place. The sensation of these elections was that in the first round Zhe came in second place after Zhe. Chirac was released by the leader of the far-right National Front party J.-L. Le Pen. In the second round of the presidential election, socialists called for votes for Zhe. Chirac, who received 82.2% of the vote, and Le Pen - 17.8%. Chirac became President of France for the second time, although now for a 5-year term. During the parliamentary elections in June 2002, the right-wing coalition “Union for a Presidential Majority” won 355 seats out of 577. Socialists won 140 parliamentary seats. The new government was headed by Pierre Raffarin, a representative of the Liberal Democracy coalition party. In the XXI century France entered as a highly developed industrial power, ranks 4th on the list of the richest states in the world, a full-fledged subject of the European and world community, and the focus of many democratic traditions. But before the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007, France faced a number of unresolved economic problems. On the one hand, the planned, centralized, over-regulated economy, with a high degree of social protection and an excessive public sector, provided the French with a decent level of material well-being for many years. On the other hand, France in terms of GDP per person has shifted over the past 25 years from 7th place in the world to 17th. Even in the areas of health and social security, which are a priority for every French government, the country has dropped from 8th place in the world to 16th. The most painful issues for the French economy remain chronically high unemployment (10%, and among young people and people of color - 20%) and the level of public debt (66% of GDP), which is five times more than in 1980. A heavy burden for the French economy. The economy has become a state apparatus, on which 54% of GDP is spent. In the last 20 years alone, the army of civil servants has increased by 20% and reached 5 million people.

In the presidential elections in April - May 2007, the representative of the right-wing conservative forces, the Minister of the Interior, 52-year-old Nicolas Sarkozy, won, beating the socialist S. Royal. The French government was headed by Francois Fillon. N. Sarkozy's economic program is aimed at helping and protecting the interests of the wealthy classes and strengthening their socio-economic positions to the detriment of the needy segments of the population. The program involves reducing property taxes and providing more tax benefits to large enterprises and the highest social strata of society. N. Sarkozy set the goal of increasing the value added tax, increasing the 35-hour work week (wages for off-hour work will not be taxed), reducing unemployment benefits and reducing social benefits, creating a Ministry of Immigration, and the like. Since 2008, Sarkozy's main problem has been overcoming the economic crisis.

France's foreign policy priorities were formed under the influence of events at the turn of the 80s and 90s in the international arena, which significantly changed the geopolitical situation in Europe and the whole world. France paid main attention to accelerating the process of Western European integration. In 1990, in Schengen (Luxembourg), France, together with other participants in the Common Market, signed an agreement on the free movement of persons, goods and services, which came into force in 1995. At a meeting of representatives of the heads of state and government of 12 member states of the European Communities in December 1991 in Maastricht (Netherlands), 2 documents were adopted: the Treaty on European Union and the Final Act on the Monetary and Financial Union. In February 1992, these acts were signed, which marked the creation of a unified political, economic and monetary union of states with a population of 350 million people. Because the Maastricht Agreements limited French sovereignty, they caused a wave of protests and disputes. In September 1992, a referendum was held in which 51% of the French who took part in it approved the Maastricht Treaty. After this, it was ratified by the National Assembly and came into force. In October 1997, France, along with other EU countries, signed the Treaty of Amsterdam, which expanded the powers of the EU's supranational governing bodies.

President Chirac has demonstrated a penchant for providing France's foreign policy with its own personality. In September 1995, France resumed nuclear weapons testing despite international protests (8 nuclear explosions were carried out before January 1996). France strives to play a leading role in European economic and military-political structures. Since January 1996, it has resumed its presence on the NATO Military Committee. At the same time, its leadership raised the question of replacing the commander of NATO's Southern Wing with a European to Washington. France and the United States have differences on almost all international issues: the role of both countries in NATO, the activities of the UN, the importance of the OSCE, the peace process in the Middle East, and the like.

In January 1991, French troops, as part of a military coalition led by the United States, took part in the war against Iraq, which occupied Kuwait. In the summer of 1999, France participated in the NATO operation against Yugoslavia in Kosovo. The US military campaign against Iraq began in March 2003 and was sharply criticized by France and Germany. Even N. Sarkozy, elected president of France in 2007, despite his great affection for the United States, considers the war in Iraq an American mistake. During the 1990s and early 2000s, France, together with Germany, actively supported the idea of ​​​​developing a common EU policy in the field of defense and security, which led to concern and a mixed reaction from the United States. France actively supports NATO's eastward expansion.

After the collapse of the USSR and the socialist camp, France intensified its policy towards the countries of Eastern Europe. On January 24, 1992, France recognized the independence of Ukraine, in April diplomatic relations were established between the two countries, and soon the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between France and Ukraine was signed (ratified by the French National Assembly only in February 1996). In relations between the two countries, there is a steady trend towards an increase in the level of economic relations and intensification of political and diplomatic dialogue.

In the development of relations between France and independent Ukraine, four successive stages can be distinguished:

1992-1996 - the initial stage of French-Ukrainian relations, establishing diplomatic contacts and laying the legal framework for cooperation;

1997-1999 - activation of the Ukrainian vector of French foreign policy, transformation of European integration issues into the main political object of bilateral relations; France actively contributed to the establishment of strong cooperation and a special partnership between Ukraine and NATO. During the official visit of Ukrainian President L. Kuchma to France in January 1997, the Mixed Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation was created. The first visit of the French President was a landmark event in the development of Ukrainian-French relations. Chirac to Ukraine in September 1998. Ukraine’s proclamation of a course towards integration into the European Union contributed to the intensification of relations with France. France actively contributed to the development and adoption at the EU summit in Helsinki in December 1999 of a joint EU strategy regarding Ukraine, in which, for French assistance, a provision was introduced recognizing Ukraine’s European aspirations and its European choice;

2000-2004 - a decrease in the dynamics of French-Ukrainian relations, which is associated with contradictions in the internal and foreign policy situation in Ukraine;

Since 2005, a qualitatively new stage began in relations between France and Ukraine, the impetus for which was the events of the Orange Revolution and the election of the President of Ukraine. Yushchenko.

The coming to power in France in 2007 of President N. Sarkozy marked a significant change in French policy towards the states of Central-Eastern Europe and, in particular, towards Ukraine. It is worth noting the new French leader’s great passion for the events of the Orange Revolution during his visit to Kiev as a minister in February 2005. Moreover, his programmatic election speech contained the thesis about the possibility of “unifying the (European) continent right up to Kiev.”