Reynaud, Paul (pōl rānō`), 1878–1966, French statesman and lawyer. He held several cabinet posts, and after Nov., 1938, as minister of finance in the cabinet of Édouard Daladier Daladier, Édouard (ād
..... Click the link for more information. , he pursued an extremely deflationary policy. During World War II he succeeded Daladier as premier in Mar., 1940. On May 18, as France faced military disaster, he called in Marshal Pétain Pétain, Henri Philippe (äNrē` fēlēp` pātăN`)
..... Click the link for more information. as vice premier to boost French morale. On June 16 he gave way to Pétain and others who wished to surrender to Germany, and resigned. Imprisoned later in 1940, he was among the defendants at the abortive Riom Riom (rēôN`), town (1990 pop. 19,302), Puy-de-Dôme dept., S central France, in Auvergne.
..... Click the link for more information. war-guilt trial. After the war Reynaud served as finance minister (1948) and vice premier (1953).

Reynaud, Paul

(born Oct. 15, 1878, Barcelonnette, France—died Sept. 21, 1966, Paris) French politician and premier (1940). After serving in World War I, he served in the Chamber of Deputies (1919–24, 1928–40) and in cabinet positions (1930–32). As minister of finance (1938–40) and premier (1940), he called on France to resist Nazi Germany. After the German invasion, Reynaud resigned rather than conclude an armistice; he was arrested and kept in captivity (1940–45). He returned to the Chamber of Deputies (1946–62) and helped draft the constitution of the Fifth Republic.