1958: The Algerian Crisis Brings Back de Gaulle

The Algerian War destroyed France's Fourth Republic. Settlers and army officers feared that politicians in Paris would negotiate with the FLN. On 13 May 1958 crowds in Algiers seized the government building, and army leaders formed a Committee of Public Safety. Paratroopers took over Corsica, and there were fears of a military landing in Paris. In this crisis, parliament turned to Charles de Gaulle, the wartime leader, who became prime minister on 1 June. In Algiers he told cheering settlers, 'I have understood you', a deliberately ambiguous phrase.

A new constitution creating the Fifth Republic, with a strong presidency, was approved by referendum in September 1958. Settlers expected de Gaulle to keep Algeria French, but in September 1959 he offered Algerians self-determination. Feeling betrayed, some officers attempted a coup in April 1961, the Generals' Putsch, which failed when conscripts refused to follow them. Die-hard opponents rallied to the OAS, a terrorist organization founded early in 1961 that targeted supporters of independence.