The 1966 Crisis

Abstract

The 1966 crisis was triggered by French President de Gaulle’s decision to withdraw France from the integrated military structures of the Atlantic alliance. Although it involved the alliance as a whole, the main dispute took place between France and the United States. Indeed, the crisis started on March 7, 1966, after President de Gaulle sent a letter to US President Johnson specifying his decision to withdraw Francefrom the alliance’s integrated military structures. The main communications and negotiations following this decision took place betweenParis and Washington.¹ This decision triggered a negative reaction from Washington, as it was perceived by US officials as a unilateral move from France, without having consulted its allies, and which jeopardized the future of the Atlantic alliance.²