Tardieu, André (äNdrā` tärdyö`), 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 (-Pierre-Gabriel-Amédée)

(born Sept. 22, 1876, Paris, France—died Sept. 15, 1945, Menton) French politician. After work in the diplomatic service, he became foreign editor of Le Temps and was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1914. A delegate to the Paris Peace Conference, he was instrumental in drafting the Treaty of Versailles. A supporter of Georges Clemenceau in his early career, he served in various government posts, and as the leader of the right-centre in the Chamber of Deputies, he twice served as premier (1929–30, 1932), advocating a policy of large national expenditure. Disillusioned with the failures of the parliamentary system, he retired in 1936.