I mentionned it in an earlier thread (I'll link to my posts). In 1958 the 4th Republic hellish instability, mixed with the algerian conflict, could have ripped France appart. For the record, 4rth Republic got 25 governments in 12 years, one every six months (!)
In May 1958 there was a very real threat about a military parachutist putsch. Parachutists and putschists started in Algiers, then
sized Corsica, and prepared to jump on Paris.
Say what you want of De Gaulle, but when he stepped in in May 1958 he probably avoided chaos. More putsches followed in 1960 and 1961.
Have De Gaulle dying before 1958 and the situation in May 1958 might very well spiral out of control.
To make a long story short, French Algeria had existed since 1830 - 130 years. That's five generations of "pieds noirs".
Hence the average Frenchman considered Algeria as French as Brittany or Corsica. Hence -
no way it become independant. France was deeply divided, and on the brink of a civil war.
https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...e-taking-power-in-57-58.411217/#post-14346119