A republican statesman who urged resistance in the face of defeat
In June 1940, he argued that France should continue the war from North Africa.
Paul Reynaud was a French republican statesman and lawyer whose independent positions ranged across economics, colonial policy, and defence. Facing Nazi Germany, he pressed for wartime financial mobilisation and modern warfare built around tanks and air power. When France collapsed in 1940, he sought to preserve the alliance with Britain and continue the war from North Africa, but resigned as premier after the armistice camp prevailed and was subsequently detained by Vichy and Germany. After liberation he returned to parliament and remained a prominent defender of parliamentary government.
Career Timeline
- 1910First secretary of the Paris Bar Conference
- 1919–1924Deputy for Basses-Alpes
- 1928–1940Deputy for Paris
- 1930Minister of Finance
- 1931–1932Minister of Colonies
- 1938Minister of Justice
- 1938–1940Minister of Finance
- 1940President of the Council, also Foreign Affairs and War Minister
- 1946–1962Member of Parliament