Poincaré, Raymond, << pwan ka RAY, ray MAWN >> (1860-1934), served four times as premier of France, and was president of France from 1913 to 1920. He was a strong leader and gained a reputation as a clever financier and an ardent nationalist.
Poincaré first became premier of France in 1912 and tried to strengthen French alliances. In 1922, after his term as president of France ended, he became premier again. The Treaty of Versailles, which ended military actions against Germany in World War I (1914-1918), required Germany to pay reparations (compensation for war damages) to France. In 1923, after the Reparations Commission declared Germany in default, Poincaré ordered French troops into the Ruhr to force Germany to pay (see Ruhr (History) ). Poincaré was defeated in the 1924 elections and resigned as premier.
Poincaré served as premier again from 1926 to 1928, during a financial and political crisis. His efforts to revive the economy won him the title “savior of the franc.” He resigned in 1929, after a fourth premiership. Poincaré was born in Bar-le-Duc, France, on Aug. 20, 1860. He died on Oct. 15, 1934.
