Cold+War+Superpower+Relations

Analyze the nature of superpower relationships during the cold war and the consequences and impacts on international and domestic affairs. (Consider Social, Economic, Political, Military and Geographic factors)

French president, who strove to free France and Europe of Superpower dependence. This was viewed as a positive step in builiding a free France and Europe by extension, developments thought to be in the best interest of the world community at large. He believed the development and maintainence of a strong France was essential to the balance of the superpower rivalry exhibited throughout the cold war. His quest for French military independence was spurred by the Nazi invasion of France in 1940. As such, he withdrew French forces from common NATO military command in 1960, despite wishes of the American government, for fear of French forces being under foreign control. Attempting to further spearate France from American and Britian influence, de Gaulle encouraged the development of a French nuclear program. His vision came to fruition when France became the fourth nuclear power, detonating the A-bomb in Algeria; later, French scientists developped the H-bomb sans American assistance in 1968. France further extended their competitive military edge through the development of their space program and launched their first satellite into orbit in 1965.
 * __Charles de Gaulle and his Realtions with America__**

Political separation and independence was unquestionably conveyed when in 1964, France officially recognized Communist China, without the approval of the stringently democractic American government. Upon his becoming the President of the Fifth Republic, de Gaulle experienced American opposition, as they viewed him as a potnetial dictator in light of his strong desire for a stable French government and right-wing leanings. The US also held resentment from earlier in his political career when he had stood between them and the development of their relations with the French Vichy government, elected democratically and more closely aligned with American objectives of the day. De Gaulle also openly condemned the Vietnam war, and since the occurrence of Algerian liberation, was a supporter of the Arabs in their war with the Israelis, though formerly allied with Israel. He criticized the Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip and the 6 day war. This caused a shift in Israeli foreign policy; they now appealed to the US for support, which they received, as many Americans were strong supporters of the Zionist movement and the objectives of the Balfour Declaration.

To preserve French independence and shield foreign and domestic policy from the influence of the British, Charles de Gaulle repetedly blocked Great Britain's admission to the European Economic Community (EEC), as they were closely allied with America. British influence was viewed by de Gaulle as a hindrance to French and also, European independence. He was particularly sensitive to British influence because of France's adherence to Britain's foreign (war) policy in the 1930's and WWII. He felt the need to develop a French nuclear program because he feared relying on the British militarily and also because the British program was heavily dependent on the US.

Soruces: http://bonjourlafrance.net/france-history/charles-de-gaulle.htm#1968 http://www.grolier.com/wwii/wwii_degaulle.html http://www.notablebiographies.com/De-Du/de-Gaulle-Charles.html