May 1958 crisis in France

The May 1958 crisis, also known as the Algiers putsch or the coup of 13 May, was a political crisis in France during the turmoil of the Algerian War of Independence (1954–1962) which led to the collapse of the Fourth Republic and its replacement by the Fifth Republic led by Charles de Gaulle who returned to power after a twelve-year absence. It started as a political uprising in Algiers on 13 May 1958 and then became a military coup d'état led by a coalition headed by Algiers deputy and reserve airborne officer Pierre Lagaillarde, French Generals Raoul Salan, Edmond Jouhaud, Jean Gracieux, and Jacques Massu, and by Admiral Philippe Auboyneau, commander of the Mediterranean fleet. The coup was supported by former Algerian Governor General Jacques Soustelle and his activist allies.

For the failed military coup, see Algiers putsch of 1961.
May 1958 crisis
Date13–29 May 1958
Location
France
French Algeria
Result Fall of the French Fourth Republic
Belligerents
French Government Units of French Army, French Navy and French Air Force
Commanders and leaders
René Coty
Pierre Pflimlin		 Général d'Armée Raoul Salan
Général d'Armée Jacques Massu
Général d'Armée Aérienne Edmond Jouhaud
Admiral Philippe Auboyneau
Jacques Soustelle
Pierre Lagaillarde
Strength
Government-loyal armed force Counter force armed force
Casualties and losses
None

The coup had as its aim to oppose the formation of Pierre Pflimlin's new government and to impose a change of policies in favor of the right-wing partisans of French Algeria.

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