  The formation of the Milky Way is discussed within the context of the cold
dark matter scenario. Several problems arise which can be solved if the Galaxy
experienced an early phase of gas heating and decoupling from the dark matter
substructure. This model combines the Eggen, Lynden-Bell and Sandage picture of
a monolithic protogalactic collapses with the Searle and Zinn picture of an
early merging phase of substructures into one consistent scenario of Galactic
formation.
