In 1958, France faced a major crisis due to the war in [[Algeria]] and de Gaulle was called back to solve the situation. He was nominated Prime Minister, had a new constitution drafted and approved by referendum and finally became the 18th president of the French republic. He was in office from 1959 until 1969. In 1969, feeling he did not have popular support anymore, de Gaulle organized a referendum, ostensibly about minor institutional reforms. When the voters rejected the reforms he advocated, de Gaulle voluntarily stepped down from office. | In 1958, France faced a major crisis due to the war in [[Algeria]] and de Gaulle was called back to solve the situation. He was nominated Prime Minister, had a new constitution drafted and approved by referendum and finally became the 18th president of the French republic. He was in office from 1959 until 1969. In 1969, feeling he did not have popular support anymore, de Gaulle organized a referendum, ostensibly about minor institutional reforms. When the voters rejected the reforms he advocated, de Gaulle voluntarily stepped down from office. |