Andre Tardieu

André Tardieu , 1876-1945, French statesman and journalist. He became (1905) chief political editor of the Temps, was elected (1914) a deputy, and was named minister (1919-20) of the liberated regions (Alsace and Lorraine) after World War I. As French plenipotentiary at the Paris Peace Conference (1919), he took an important part in negotiations leading to the Treaty of Versailles. Between 1926 and 1934 he held several cabinet posts and was three times premier (1929-30, 1930, 1932). A conservative and a nationalist, Tardieu championed the French demand for security from German aggression. He resigned as deputy in 1936 and agitated for vigorous action against German aggression and for a strong government. Although Tardieu never retained office long, he endured as a power behind the scenes and greatly influenced the policies of the rightist parties. He also wrote many political works.

Bibliography: See R. Binion, Defeated Leaders (1960).

Tardieu, André (b. 22 Sept. 1876, d. 15 Sept. 1945). Prime Minister of France 1929–30, 1932 A Radical member of the Chamber of Deputies 1914–24 and 1926–36 (from 1932 for the Centre Républicain, which he co-founded), he was a close ally of Clemenceau, whose tough policies during World War I and at the Versailles Treaty he actively supported. Minister for Public Works 1926–8 and Minister of the Interior 1928–30, he held several other ministries until 1934. Though a virulent anti-Communist, he also alienated many Radicals through his policies of ‘national retooling’, which encompassed proposals for social reform and the modernization of industry and agriculture. He lacked the necessary parliamentary support to implement most of his proposals.