Reynaud, Paul

Reynaud, Paul (1878-1966), Prime Minister of France when the Germans invaded the country in 1940. He headed the ministries of finance, colonies, and justice at various times during the 1930s, and was known as an advocate of preparedness for war and resistance to Hitler's aggression. Reynaud formed a Cabinet in March 1940, a few months after the beginning of World War II. In May France was invaded, and as the French army retreated Reynaud was faced with growing demands for an armistice by defeatists among the French leaders. He resigned in June rather than agree to surrender and was subsequently imprisoned by the collaborationist Vichy government. After the war he returned to politics, and in 1958 he headed the commission that drafted the constitution of the Fifth Republic.