Exploring French History

Question: Who was the first elected president of France’s Fifth Republic?

Answer: Charles De Gaulle, who had led Free France’s military during World War II, was elected president of the Fifth Republic in 1959. He served for nearly ten years, until 1969.

Question: Which of these leaders was buried in the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris?

Answer: The Hôtel des Invalides, in Paris, France, is the location of the tomb of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

Question: Who was France’s youngest 20th-century president?

Answer: When he became the third president of France in 1974, at 48, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing was the youngest man to govern his country since Napoleon.

Question: Which of these wars was not fought between France and England?

Answer: In World War I, France and England were allies. The other wars were fought between France and England.

Question: What battle ended the Emperor Napoleon’s rule?

Answer: Fought in July 1815, the Battle of Waterloo saw an Allied victory over the forces of Napoleon, the Emperor of France.

Question: When did the French Revolution take place?

Answer: In 1789 the people of France began the French Revolution. The revolution brought down their king and made France a republic—a country ruled by the people.