Alexandre Pétion (1770–1818) was a pivotal figure in Haiti's struggle for independence and early governance. Born in Port-au-Prince to a wealthy French father and a free mulatto mother, he was part of the gens de couleur libres (free people of color) class. Educated at the Military Academy in Paris, Pétion returned to Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) to participate in the Haitian Revolution.
Initially, Pétion aligned with André Rigaud against Toussaint Louverture during the internal conflict known as the "War of Knives." After a defeat, he went into exile but returned in 1802 with the French expedition led by Charles Leclerc. Disillusioned with French intentions, Pétion joined forces with Jean-Jacques Dessalines, contributing to the defeat of French troops and the declaration of Haitian independence in 1804.
Alexandre Pétion (1770–1818) was a pivotal figure in Haiti's struggle for independence and early governance. Born in Port-au-Prince to a wealthy French father and a free mulatto mother, he was part of the gens de couleur libres (free people of color) class. Educated at the Military Academy in Paris, Pétion returned to Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) to participate in the Haitian Revolution.
Initially, Pétion aligned with André Rigaud against Toussaint Louverture during the internal conflict known as the "War of Knives." After a defeat, he went into exile but returned in 1802 with the French expedition led by Charles Leclerc. Disillusioned with French intentions, Pétion joined forces with Jean-Jacques Dessalines, contributing to the defeat of French troops and the declaration of Haitian independence in 1804.