How to Pronounce Raymond Poincaré

Meaning and Context

Raymond Poincaré, a dominant figure in the French Third Republic, served as the President of France from 1913 to 1920, a tenure that encompassed the immense trials of the First World War. His political career, however, extended far beyond the presidency; he was a formidable Prime Minister on three separate occasions and a long-serving Minister of Finance, renowned for his staunch conservatism, legal acumen, and unyielding nationalism. Poincaré's presidency and policies were central to the French Third Republic politics, particularly his unwavering commitment to national security and the Franco-Russian Alliance, which shaped the pre-war diplomatic landscape. His leadership during World War I was characterized by a doctrine of Union Sacrée (Sacred Union), a political truce aimed at unifying the nation's factions for the war effort. In the postwar period, his hardline stance on German war reparations, most notably his decision to order the occupation of the Ruhr in 1923 as Prime Minister, was a defining and controversial chapter in interwar European history, reflecting his lifelong dedication to French strength and financial stability.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Raymond Poincaré, with the acute accent on the final 'e' being crucial for accuracy. Common misspellings and typographical errors often arise from omitting this accent, resulting in "Raymond Poincare." The surname is also frequently misspelled due to confusion with his distant cousin, the renowned mathematician Henri Poincaré, leading to the erroneous substitution of "Henri" for "Raymond." Another occasional error involves the duplication of the 'r' in the surname, as in "Poinccaré" or "Poinrcaré." In English-language texts, the first name is sometimes mistakenly rendered as "Reymond" or "Raimond." It is also important to note that while "Poincaré" is the correct standalone spelling, in full reference, the honorific "President Poincaré" or "Premier Poincaré" is typically used.

Example Sentences

Historians often cite President Raymond Poincaré's steadfast nationalism as a significant factor in the hardening of European alliances prior to the outbreak of war in 1914.

Following the devastation of the Great War, Poincaré returned as Prime Minister with a firm resolve to enforce the Treaty of Versailles, a policy that culminated in the French and Belgian occupation of the Ruhr valley.

In his memoirs, the French diplomat lamented that Poincaré's legalistic and uncompromising style, while effective for finance, often created friction with allies.

A key objective of Poincaré's postwar financial policy was to stabilize the franc and ensure Germany fulfilled its reparations obligations.

Today, Poincaré is remembered as a formidable defender of French interests, whose political career was fundamentally shaped by the twin pillars of national honor and fiscal rigor.

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