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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Political Science

Old Dominion University

1992

North Atlantic Treat Organization (NATO)

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France And Nato: A Case Of Misunderstanding, Servane Burel May 1992

France And Nato: A Case Of Misunderstanding, Servane Burel

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

In 1966, General Charles de Gaulle partially withdrew France from the integrated military structure of the North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO). This action represented a climax in the ongoing evolution in French foreign policy. Both sides of the Atlantic failed to understand de Gaulle's actions because of the ambivalent relation between the concept of grandeur in world politics and France's loyalty to the Alliance. Consequently, the partial withdrawal was perceived as a drastic shift in policies exemplifying French "anti-Americanism" and lack of commitment to the Alliance and NATO.

In contrast, this thesis presents this decision as simply a political statement, …