Commander-in-Chief

:For the television series, see Commander-in-Chief (TV series).

France

In France, the President of the Republic holds the title of "Chef des Armées" ("Chief of the Armies"). He is the supreme authority for military affairs, and is the only competent authority for the use of nuclear power.

Related Topics:
France - President of the Republic

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Since the reign of Louis XIV France has been strongly centralized. After crushing local nobles engaged in warlordism, the Kings of France retained all authority ("Droit Divin", "divine authority") with the help of able yet discreet Prime ministers (Mazarin, Richelieu).

Related Topics:
Louis XIV - Mazarin - Richelieu

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The 1789 Revolution transferred the supreme authority to the King (in the context of the short-lived constitutional Monarchy), then to the multi-member Comité de Salut Public during the Convention, and later to the Directoire, before being regained in the hands of Consul Napoléon Bonaparte, later Emperor Napoléon I, alone.

Related Topics:
Comité de Salut Public - Convention - Directoire - Consul - Napoléon Bonaparte - Emperor Napoléon I

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The Restauration restored authority of the King, in an absolute, then constitutional way before being overthrown by the Second Empire. The following Third Republic was a parliamentary system, where the military authority was held by the President of the Council (Prime Minister).

Related Topics:
Restauration - Third Republic

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During World War II, Maréchal Philippe Pétain usurped power and held the supreme authority in Vichy France, while the last member of the precedent government able to exercise power, Général De Gaulle, founded the Free French Forces, upon which he held supreme authority all through the war.

Related Topics:
Maréchal - Philippe Pétain - Vichy France - Général De Gaulle - Free French Forces

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The following and short-lived Fourth Republic was a parliamentary system, which was replaced by the present Fifth Republic, a semi-presidential system.

Related Topics:
Fourth Republic - Fifth Republic - Semi-presidential system

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