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Charles De Gaulle Responds to Protest

In May 1968, France was in a state of political turmoil, with students and workers protesting against the government's policies. Against this backdrop, President Charles De Gaulle addressed the nation in a televised speech. De Gaulle was a French military general and statesman who played a key role in the liberation of France during World War II, and later became the founder of the Fifth Republic and its first President.

Source 1

France is threatened with dictatorship. There are those who would constrain her to abandon herself to a power that would establish itself in national despair, a power that would then obviously and essentially be the power of totalitarian communism. Naturally, its true colors would be concealed at first, making use of the ambition and hatred of sidelined politicians. After which, such figures would lose all but their own inherent influence, insignificant as that is.

No, I say! The Republic will not abdicate. The people will come to its senses. Progress, independence and peace will carry the day, along with freedom.

Vive la République !
Vive la France !

French President Charles De Gaulle, Televised Speech to the Nation, May 30, 1968

Question 1

Short answer

Describe one political event in France that inspired the writing of the excerpt.

Question 2

Short answer

Describe one goal of Charles De Gaulle in giving the speech.

Question 3

Short answer

Explain one way in which the events the excerpt alludes to influenced European society in the late 1960s.

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