Alexandre petion
Born April 2, 1770 in Port-au-Prince and died March 29, 1818. Very skilled in physical exercises, he loved dancing and hunting. Elected on March 9, 1807 for a period of 11 years.
The first step taken by Pétion was the installation of the flag of the republic in blue and red colors, with the stripes placed horizontally. He adds the arms of the republic with the inscription "unity is strength".
The agrarian policy of pétion
Pétion's agrarian policy began in 1807 and included two important stages. Initially, Pétion annuls all the laws taken under Dessalines in the agrarian domain. He distributes land to high-ranking army officers as a "national gift". These lands are given to the military unconditionally, without restriction.
Pétion thus wants:
Thank them for their service to the homeland during the War of Independence.
Consolidate its power by restoring confidence in the military.
Establish a clear difference between his diet and that of christophe
Pétion then generalized his policy and distributed lands to high power officials, members of the senate, non-commissioned officers and soldiers. This generosity won him the affection of the people. But the economic situation is deteriorating all the more as the world market is experiencing difficulties because of the war in Europe.To replenish the coffers of the republic, Pétion recommends to the Senate to sell the land belonging to the State. the second stage of its agrarian policy. Faced with the success of this measure, the Senate decides to sell a large part of the state's lands.
Under Pétion's government, the administration does not function properly. State money is often wasted. Agricultural production falls dramatically. the cash registers are practically empty and several coins circulate in the greatest disorder. However, from 1810 onwards, Pétion surrounded himself with capable men such as Barhazar Inginac Guy Josaph Bonnet… the latter began to put order in the administration. When he wanted to serve President Pétion prevented him from doing so by pointing out that 'it is necessary to spare the people and maintain a climate of peace. This policy earned him the nickname of "Father good heart" and the affection of the people. However, this practice is done to the detriment of the authority of the state.
Pétion and the Senate
To better conduct the war against the North, the senate grants petion full powers. This decision is at the origin of the conflict between the president and the senate. Indeed quickly the senate begins to take responsibility for the president. He does not appreciate not his way of waging the war The senate is not informed of administrative and financial decisions taken by pétion The president does not respond to letters from senators In 1808 this conflict dispersed the Senate In 1811 and 1815, Pétion was re-elected for 4 years by another senate totally submitted to his cause.
The constitution of 1816
In June 1816, Pétion passed a new constitution which recognized:
An executive power at its head is a president for life who has all the powers. He appoints and dismisses all positions and has the right to appoint his successor.
Legislative power entrusted to a senate of 24 members elected for 9 years.
A chamber of deputies whose members are elected for 5 years.
The constitution of 1816 proclaims free primary education. To encourage the dissemination of education, petion;
Grant pastors of the Wesleyan Church permission to come to Haiti:
Founds it (Lycée de Port-au-Prince, Lycée Alexandre Pétion)
Open a boarding school for young ladies
Orders books at his own expense.
Pétion's foreign policy
Haiti and France: France is looking for the means to take back its colony of Saint-Domingue. For this it sends numerous missions to Haiti. In the North, Christophe has Franco de medina, one of the envoys of the King of France, executed. in the west, pétion met the messengers and addressed a very firm letter to the french government: "the people of haiti want to be free and independent. I want it with them. that is the cause of my resistance".
Haiti and Latin America: Pétion is often called "The Father of Pan-Americanism". He did much to liberate the peoples of South America from Spanish colonialism.
After Miranda's death, Simon Bolivar resumed the fight against Spain. During his stay in Haiti, in July 1816 Bolivar met Pétion in Port-au-Prince. The president gave him valuable advice, arms and ammunition, and allowed him to enlist Haitian volunteers to help him in his armed struggle.
Thanking Pétion, Bolivard said to him: "Shall I let posterity know that Alexander Pétion is the liberator of my homeland? - don't do anything, replied Pétion. All I ask is the abolition of slavery. Just promise me to free slavery wherever your troops are victorious >>
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