Why Did France Leave NATO at the Height of the Cold War?

A forgotten mini Cold War within the NATO

French President Charles de Gaulle (left) and American President John F.Kennedy in Paris, 1961. Image source: Wikimedia Commons.

France and NATO have had a fascinating, and often tense relationship. Although France was a founding member of NATO in 1949, it has not always played nice. In fact, one of the most interesting scandals that rocked NATO and also rattled the Kremlin’s cage happened in 1966.

France shocked the world by quitting NATO.

Though Cold War historians argue that the decision was not out of the blue and it was coming for a long time.

But why?

Why did France leave NATO after helping to build it and hosting it for fifteen years?

Before we jump into the reasons for France quitting NATO, it is important to clarify what we mean by “quitting”, in this context.

France quit the unified NATO military command structure, but not the organization. This means that France agreed to help a NATO member if it was attacked but on its own terms. France said it wouldn’t be a part of NATO’s military operations.

France’s decision to leave the NATO command structure had a long-term effect on French and European politics, and France did not rejoin NATO until 2009.