France Leaves NATO’s Integrated Military Command

After the Second World War, European governments sought American defense support as they rebuilt their economies, while Washington sought to prevent Soviet expansion. [1] [2]

American installations and Allied headquarters would have to leave France. Charles de Gaulle set out his decision in a letter to President Lyndon Johnson on 7 March 1966: France would withdraw from NATO’s integrated military commands and recover full control of its territory and armed forces. [2] [3]

France would remain a treaty ally. De Gaulle argued that circumstances had changed since 1949 and that foreign forces and shared commands now restricted French sovereignty. He left open military cooperation in a war, while rejecting the peacetime arrangements through which the allies had organized their defense. [2]

Johnson replied that American troops had come at France’s invitation. He warned that breaking up the common command would weaken collective defense, but failed to reverse the decision. NATO moved its military headquarters to Belgium in 1967, followed by its political headquarters. The North Atlantic Treaty still bound France to its allies; French forces would operate outside the integrated command. [4] [3]

The American embassy transmitted de Gaulle's letter to Washington. Johnson's initial reply went through French ambassador Charles Lucet, while copies were sent to the British, Italian, and West German leaders. [2]

Related Diplomats

1. Charles Lucet [5] [6]

Related Reading

• France and the United States