Why did France Leave NATO? (Short Animated Documentary)

There's sometimes talk online of when France left NATO in 1966 and what that meant for the Cold War and the alliance as a whole. One thing you should know is that France never actually left NATO but instead left its unified Command Structure but still this move made waves. So why did France withdraw from this and how did other NATO members react? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

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[bradpara]

Because it is almost impossible to fit an American Ego and a French one in the same room together

[ordinary_magician]

“Does that include those in the cemeteries as well?”
Ok that sounds like it was an effective guilt-inducing response

[bookie]

This reminds me of the quote by the American General Norman Schwarzkopf who said
"Going to war without France is like going hunting without an accordion."

[johncook]

I served with NATO at SHAPE when De Gaulle decided to kick NATO out of France. Can you imagine being in your 20's and living just a few kilometres from Paris itself. I used to play rugby for the British Rugby Club of Paris and was having a whale of a time - Anyone remember the Winston Churchill pub ?? Moving to Belgium was not the same but great memories.

[geekosPES]

Fun fact : NATO use to have its HQ in Paris and when France withdrew, the building where was the HQ is now a university

[Lord.Chezzus]

"So long as that country started with U and Nited States of America" this is why i love this channel

[MrMTGPsycho]

Oddly enough though, the FAMAS and other standard issue arms were more or less standardized with NATO. This meant they fired the NATO Standard 5.56mm cartridge and fit the GI standard steel magazines, with all models including and after the FAMAS G1. This means that in a warzone situation, British and American Troops could share ammo and magazines without refit to French counter parts. This may be due in large part to wanting to sell to NATO nations, but it is worth noting that it was NATO standardize.

[WWFanatic]

At 1:29 I really like the French Secret Plan. Infantry launch a fixing attack while a radar unit flanks around a forest and a battleship comes from around the mountains to destroy an enemy air defense unit. I think the infantry could have handled it alone but hey, we know where the budget is going with those mountain battleships.

[billyvillabroza]

"The Supreme Allied Commander could come from any country beginning with a U..."
Uganda: So you're saying there's a chance

[numberkenyan]

1:13 in the top left corner: *Concerned French Noises*.
Man I love this channel.

[BooTub]

The fact you spend time making their eyebrows raise and half squinted eyes is not talked about enough. You’re a fucking legend

[moxnix]

Now I know the full story as to why a GI I served with in Germany was moved from France to Germany sometime in 1966. I think the trooper was Larry Holden from Atlanta, Ga

[AFGuidesHD]

France withdrew because Bisonette wasn't commander

[menospeakwelsh]

As a German, that title evoked a lot of sudden emotions in me before realising that this didn't, in fact, happen last week or something.

[ho_howzit]

“Does that include the ones in the cemetery too?” Damn that hits hard😢

[Bazooka-Charlie]

I love learning history and these videos you get me laughing all the time! while also teaching me historical events =]

[MLaserHistory]

"Why did France Leave NATO?"
Because leaving NATO sounds like the most French thing to do so they did.

[iGamezRo]

"Who could've been from NATO's many member states as long that member state's name began with U and ended with nited States of America" - best line ever

[theorobinmeyer]

Fun fact: France never left NATO, but only its military command.

[rileydavidson]

I love Johnsons response to the request, an absolute masterstroke. Even if it didn't work it still would have caused such a huge incident it would have made France look extremely ungrateful for all those lives lost