The Fifth Republic is the republic in which we live. This republic has the distinction of having been founded by a man who left his mark: General de Gaulle. This strong personality founded a presidential regime while creating institutions that allow the republic to function democratically.
De Gaulle was appointed President of the Council and obtained full constitutional powers on 1 June 1958. After the referendum of September 28, 1958, the Fifth Republic was approved and thus established and proclaimed on October 4, 1958.
The great projects of the Fifth Republic
De Gaulle wanted to restore a financial balance in the country. He implemented a policy of austerity: the currency was devalued and the New Franc was created in 1959. Major industrial projects such as the construction of the Concorde were launched. Agriculture was helped by the establishment of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) in 1962.
De Gaulle wanted the France to be an independent power. Thus the France left the military command of NATO in 1966. In addition, he began a dialogue with the communist countries and visited them as Third World countries.
Finally, to guarantee independence, de Gaulle chose a strategy of military deterrence and in 1960, the France acquired the atomic bomb.
The Fifth Republic in its beginnings can be summed up in one man: de Gaulle. He marks power by establishing a strong democratic regime around his person. It gave the France political and economic autonomy, while more or less easily accepting the independence of the former colonies.
But in social matters, few modernization measures were put in place, hence the discontent of May 1968. These discontents, misunderstood at first, later led to social improvements.