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- Title
'Flattering the Little Sleeping Rooster': The French Left, de Gaulle, and the Vietnam War in 1965.
- Authors
Keenan, Bethany S.
- Abstract
This article examines conflicts concerning French policy on the American phase of the Vietnam War between the French Left and Charles de Gaulle during the 1965 elections. The Left faced a dilemma on a matter of central foreign policy as it found it difficult to differentiate its position on the war from de Gaulle's public statements on it. Through an evaluation of press commentary, I demonstrate that in its attempt to set itself apart from de Gaulle, the French Left challenged not only his interpretation of the war in Vietnam but also his understanding of France and its role in the world, proffering a softer, cooperative conception in opposition to de Gaulle's push for a militant leadership status for France in the international community. The study shows the limits political parties face as part of protest movements, while also situating French debate over the Vietnam War squarely within the ongoing dialogue over French national identity.
- Subjects
FRANCE; GAULLE, Charles de, 1890-1970; FRENCH national character; PRESIDENTIAL elections; FRENCH presidents; VIETNAM War, 1961-1975; RIGHT &; left (Political science); PROTEST movements; POLITICAL parties
- Publication
Historical Reflections / Réflexions Historiques, 2011, Vol 37, Issue 1, p91
- ISSN
0315-7997
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3167/hrrh.2011.370105