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Edouard DaladierFrench politician, compromiser
Date of Birth: 18.06.1884
Country:  France |
Content:
Biography of Eduard Daladier
Eduard Daladier (18.6.1884, Carpentras, Vaucluse - 10.10.1970, Paris) was a French politician and statesman. He received his education at the University of Lyon and worked as a teacher of history and geography. In 1911, he was elected to the local legislative assembly.
Political Career
During World War I, Daladier served as an officer and was a participant in the war. In 1919, with the support of Édouard Herriot, he was elected as a deputy to the National Assembly representing the Radical-Socialist Party (RSP). He gained the nickname "The Bull of Vaucluse". Daladier was one of the leaders of the RSP and also served as Herriot's secretary. In 1922, he accompanied Herriot on a trip to the Soviet Union.
From June 1924 to June 1940, with breaks, Daladier held various positions in the cabinet of ministers, including Minister of Colonies and Minister of War. He served as Prime Minister and Minister of War from January 31 to October 24, 1933, and as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs from January 30 to February 7, 1934. In April 1938, he once again became Prime Minister and simultaneously held the position of Minister of National Defense and Minister of War from April-May 1938 and May-September 1939. His government, formed after the dissolution of the Popular Front, received the support of the majority of French political parties.
International Relations
In June 1938, Daladier closed the Franco-Spanish border, and in early 1939, the French government recognized the regime of General Francisco Franco. In 1938, he signed the Munich Agreement and the Franco-German declaration on behalf of France. Alongside Neville Chamberlain, he was one of the initiators of the failed negotiations in Moscow in 1939 and supported a policy of appeasing Germany. However, after the Munich Agreement, Daladier lost the support of the socialists and was forced to rely on right-wing parties.
World War II and Later Life
After Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, Daladier announced in a radio address France's intention to enter the war with Germany, remaining faithful to international agreements (officially declared on September 3, 1939). However, the government's policy was focused solely on containing the German army, as Daladier and other members hoped that Germany would turn its expansion towards the East after the occupation of Poland. On September 26, 1939, the Communist Party was banned in France.
After the Soviet Union's invasion of Finland, Daladier proposed sending a French auxiliary corps to assist the Finnish army. On March 21, 1940, Daladier's cabinet resigned, but he retained his position as Minister of National Defense in the new cabinet. He supported French generals who advocated a defensive strategy. After the capitulation of France in 1940, Daladier was arrested by the Vichy government and later interned by German authorities. He remained imprisoned in Castle Itter, Austria, until the end of World War II.
From 1946 to 1958, Daladier served as a deputy in the National Assembly. He was the President of the Radical-Socialist Party from 1957 to 1958. In 1958, he opposed the rise to power of Charles de Gaulle and the revision of the Constitution, after which he was effectively sidelined from political activity.
