France in the World
De Gaulle's global ambitions extended beyond Europe and the Atlantic. He sought to position France as the natural leader of nations seeking a third way between the superpowers. This required rethinking relationships with the developing world, particularly former colonies.
Decolonization Completed
After Algeria, de Gaulle moved swiftly to complete decolonization. The Community, established by the 1958 constitution as a French-led confederation, quickly evolved toward independence. When African leaders requested sovereignty, de Gaulle granted it gracefully, understanding that formal empire was obsolete.
But independence did not mean abandonment. Through cooperation agreements, France maintained military bases, monetary arrangements (the CFA franc), and privileged economic relationships. French advisors staffed African ministries. French companies dominated African economies. This "Françafrique" system preserved French influence through informal means.
Critics saw neocolonialism, but African leaders often welcomed continued French involvement as protection against internal and external threats. French military interventions—always at the request of recognized governments, de Gaulle insisted—maintained stability and French influence. The system was paternalistic but provided a framework for transition from colony to nation-state.
The Middle East Pivot
The 1967 Six-Day War marked a dramatic shift in French Middle Eastern policy. Since 1948, France had been Israel's closest ally, providing weapons and diplomatic support. But de Gaulle, anticipating the war's outcome, warned Israel against attacking and embargoed arms deliveries when fighting began.
His post-war press conference caused sensation. He called Jews "an elite people, sure of itself and dominating," words that sparked accusations of antisemitism. He condemned Israel's occupation of Arab territories and called for a comprehensive peace based on UN Resolution 242. From Israel's closest friend, France became a critic.
The shift reflected calculated realpolitik. With Algeria independent, France could court Arab opinion. Oil interests demanded good relations with producing states. Opposition to American influence meant supporting Arab nationalism. But the pivot also reflected de Gaulle's consistent principle: no people should dominate another, whether in Algeria or Palestine.
Latin America and the Third World
De Gaulle's 1964 tour of Latin America demonstrated his global ambitions. In Mexico, he proclaimed solidarity with nations seeking development and dignity. In speeches mixing Spanish phrases with soaring rhetoric, he positioned France as an alternative to American dominance.
His "third worldism" was selective but significant. France increased development aid, supported non-aligned movements, and championed UN principles of sovereignty and non-interference. The 1966 Phnom Penh speech, condemning American intervention in Vietnam, electrified global opinion and infuriated Washington.
But Gaullist anti-imperialism had limits. When Biafra sought independence from Nigeria, France supported the secessionists—not from principle but because a fragmented Nigeria served French interests. In Djibouti, France maintained colonial control because strategic interests outweighed anticolonial rhetoric. Grandeur required flexibility.