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The Provisional Government of the French Republic (1944-1946)
The Provisional Government of the French Republic (GPRF) is set up on 25 August 1944, after the Liberation, to restore the Republic. It ends the Vichy regime.
Key points of the sheet
- The GPRF represents France in the peace negotiations. It reaffirms national sovereignty on the international stage.
- It launches the rebuilding of the country after the Second World War. It modernises the economy, the infrastructure and the public services.
- It makes major economic and social reforms, such as the nationalisation of companies and the preparation of social security (sécurité sociale). Social security and other measures aim to strengthen the protection of citizens and social equality.
- The GPRF ends on 27 October 1946. On that date, the Fourth Republic begins.
- General Charles de Gaulle is the central figure of the GPRF. He leads it until January 1946 and embodies the authority of the State.
- Democracy is restored and citizens get back their civic rights. Women are given the right to vote in April 1944.
- The GPRF restores republican legitimacy and prepares the institutions of the Fourth Republic. Its reforms lay the foundations of a modern and stable political system.
Words to know
- Provisional Government of the French Republic (GPRF) (Gouvernement provisoire de la République française)
- It is the government set up on 25 August 1944, after the Liberation, to restore the Republic.
- Vichy regime (régime de Vichy)
- It is the regime that the GPRF brings to an end.
- national sovereignty (souveraineté nationale)
- The GPRF reaffirms it on the international stage.
- nationalisation of companies (nationalisations d’entreprises)
- It is one of the major economic and social reforms of the GPRF.
- social security (sécurité sociale)
- The GPRF prepares it to strengthen the protection of citizens and social equality.
- Fourth Republic (IVème République)
- It begins on 27 October 1946. The GPRF prepares its institutions.
- civic rights (droits civiques)
- Citizens get them back when democracy is restored.
Test yourself: 3 questions
When is the GPRF set up?
In French, the language of the exam: Quand le GPRF est-il mis en place ?
The GPRF is set up after the Liberation, on 25 August 1944.
The GPRF prepares the institutions of which Republic?
In French, the language of the exam: Le GPRF prépare les institutions de quelle République ?
The Provisional Government prepares the institutions of the Fourth Republic.
Who leads the GPRF until January 1946?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui dirige le GPRF jusqu’en janvier 1946 ?
General Charles de Gaulle is the central figure of the GPRF. He leads it until January 1946.
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More in this topic (Political regimes since 1789)
- The Vichy regime (1940-1944)
- Political regimes
- From the Merovingians to the Ancien Régime (5th-18th century)
Source
Sheet “Le Gouvernement provisoire de la République française (1944-1946)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.