How did the events of May 1968 contribute to Charles de Gaulle's resignation in 1969?

The events of May 1968 contributed to Charles de Gaulle’s resignation in 1969 by fundamentally altering his political standing and the public's perception of his leadership. While de Gaulle initially secured a landslide electoral victory in June 1968 by positioning himself as the only barrier to anarchy and Communist rule, the crisis revealed deep-seated social discontent and exposed his inability to grasp the nature of the unrest.123

The aftermath of the crisis left de Gaulle feeling baffled and irritated, and he appeared to lose his sense of indispensability. Seeking to reaffirm his authority, he proposed a national referendum in April 1969 regarding regional reorganization and reform of the Senate. He once again tied his political future to the outcome, declaring he would resign if the measures were rejected.134

By this time, the electorate was less inclined to view him as the essential leader he had been during previous crises. The referendum was defeated by a 53 to 47 percent margin, and de Gaulle resigned from the presidency on April 28, 1969, effectively ending his political career.124