Pétion, Alexandre definition of Pétion, Alexandre in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Pétion, Alexandre (älĕksäN`drə pātyôN`), 1770–1818, Haitian revolutionist. After taking part in the expulsion (1798) of the English from Haiti, he joined (1799) André Rigaud Rigaud, André (äNdrā` rēgō`), 1761–1811, Haitian mulatto general in the wars that liberated Haiti.
..... Click the link for more information. against Toussaint L'Ouverture Toussaint L'Ouverture, François Dominique (fräNswä` dômēnēk` t
..... Click the link for more information. and commanded the heroic but tragic defense of Jacmel, a southern port. Exiled, he returned with the French army under Leclerc in 1802. Rejoining the patriots because he feared the reestablishment of slavery, Pétion, after the death of Dessalines Dessalines, Jean Jacques (zhäN zhäk dĕsälēn`), c.1758–1806, emperor of Haiti (1804–6), born a slave.
..... Click the link for more information. , engaged in a fierce but inconclusive struggle with Henri Christophe Christophe, Henri (äNrē` krēstôf`), 1767–1820, Haitian revolutionary leader.
..... Click the link for more information. for control of Haiti. In 1807 he was chosen president for life of the republic in S Haiti. He confiscated the great French plantations, divided the land among the peasants, and gave his people unprecedented freedom. In 1816 he welcomed the exiled Spanish American revolutionist Simón Bolívar and provided him with military assistance. Nevertheless, his administration was tainted with waste and corruption. Pétion was succeeded by Jean Pierre Boyer.