In 1946, the Fourth Republic replaced the collaborator regime which was installed by the Nazis after their invasion of France during World War II. The Fourth Republic was characterized by a strong parliament and a Prime minister chosen by the majority party. Charles de Gaulle, who led the Free French Resistance movement against the Nazis, was elected but refused to participate and resigned.

After World War II, France decolonized Indochina, Morocco, Tunisia, and the rest of West Africa. The Fourth Republic also allowed women's suffrage. Violent conflict arose in Algeria, with bombings, terrorism, and the death of nearly one million people. The Algerian government, which supported the French government, collapsed; and, as a result, the people called Charles De Gaulle to resolve the problem. De Gaulle refused to take power unless the government would allow a stronger Presidential position. The people of France conceded, and in 1958 the Fifth Republic was formed with a strong<o:p></o:p> authoritarian President. However, De Gaulle's solution to the problem was to simply free Algeria.<o:p></o:p>

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In 1968, university students protest over their conditions, leading to massive strikes. As a result, De Gaulle resigned in 1969. From 1981 to 1995, Francois Mitterand served as President of France. He was a Socialist, and implemented numerous socialized programs. He instituted nationalized banks, insurance industries, and defense industries. Workers' wages increased during his tenure and working hours were reduced. However, when the French economy lagged, he abandoned socialism in 1984 and the French economy revived.<o:p></o:p>

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In 1995, Jacques Chirac became President as a member of the conservative Gaullist party.<o:p></o:p>

Currently, the French president is Nicolas Sarkozy, in office since 2007.

F. M. (Tle ES 2)

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