Truman and President de Gaulle During Welcoming Ceremonies
8/22/1945
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This photograph shows President Harry S. Truman and French President Charles de Gaulle during welcoming ceremonies on the White House lawn, with officers saluting in the background.
In this official visit to Washington in 1945, French President Charles de Gaulle thanked the United States for its help liberating France from German occupation during World War II.
During the visit, Truman told de Gaulle that the U.S. would not oppose a return of French authority in Indochina. And when France went to war to recolonize Vietnam in 1945, the U.S. government needed its ally’s cooperation to contain the spread of communism in Europe.
From 1946 to 1950, the United States adopted a neutral policy toward the conflict. In 1950 President Harry S. Truman authorized direct financial and military assistance to the French.
In this official visit to Washington in 1945, French President Charles de Gaulle thanked the United States for its help liberating France from German occupation during World War II.
During the visit, Truman told de Gaulle that the U.S. would not oppose a return of French authority in Indochina. And when France went to war to recolonize Vietnam in 1945, the U.S. government needed its ally’s cooperation to contain the spread of communism in Europe.
From 1946 to 1950, the United States adopted a neutral policy toward the conflict. In 1950 President Harry S. Truman authorized direct financial and military assistance to the French.
This primary source comes from the Collection HST-AVC: Audiovisual Collection.
National Archives Identifier: 199186
Full Citation: Photograph of President Truman and French President Charles de Gaulle During Welcoming Ceremonies on the White House Lawn, with Officers Saluting in the Background; 8/22/1945; Photographs Relating to the Administration, Family, and Personal Life of Harry S. Truman, 1957 - 2004; Collection HST-AVC: Audiovisual Collection; Harry S. Truman Library, Independence, MO. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/truman-gaulle-welcoming-ceremonies, October 9, 2024]Activities that use this document
- Analyzing U.S. Involvement in the Vietnam War
Created by the National Archives Education Team
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