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Few figures loom as large on the European, or even the world scene as Charles de Gaulle. His life (1890-1970) has provided most of the myths that still sustain France. Here indeed, De Gaulle remains an even more unifying figure in death than he was in life. Abroad, however, he continues to be one of the most divisive and annoying political leaders of the century just passed. Americans, in particular, have found De Gaulle hard to swallow and nearly impossible to understand (whether they admit it or not). This class will take a close look at a life far larger than most statesmen’s – a life that touched many of the great themes of the Twentieth Century: war, revolution, decolonization, nation-building, Europe-building, Cold War diplomacy (De Gaulle virtually invented the diplomatic “third way”). It will also take a hard look at the qualities that make for great political leadership.
