Coming from a wealthy peasant family, Philippe Pétain was born in Pas-de-Calais. He received a Catholic education during his youth, and joined the Saint-Cyr officers' school in 1876.
While he was on the eve of his retirement, the First World War broke out. An officer then little known, he became appreciated thanks to the victorious battles he led. He becomes the "Hero of Verdun" for having thwarted the German attacks. While in 1917 mutinies took place in the French army, he managed to raise the morale of the Poilus by improving their quality of life on the front. Promoted to marshal, he was considered one of the most glorious soldiers by the French at the end of the Great War.
Participating in various governments during the interwar period, Pétain was appointed vice-president of the Conseil in May 1940. Favorable to an armistice with Germany, the Chamber votes full powers to the Marshal on July 10, 1940:he becomes the Head of State.
For Pétain, the defeat of France is above all moral and political. He launched his “national revolution”, authoritarian and conservative, under the slogan “Work, Family, Fatherland”. Developing a policy of collaboration with Nazi Germany, which occupied the territory, he was jointly responsible for the faults committed by the Germans and the Militia, such as the deportation of Jews and resistance fighters.
Condemned to death in 1945, he was pardoned by de Gaulle on account of his age, and died in prison in 1951.
1856 - 1951
Status
Military
Politician