Marschall Pétain, also known as Philippe Pétain, was a French military leader and statesman who rose to prominence during World War I. He was born in 1856 in Cauchy-à-la-Tour, France and began his military career at a young age, eventually rising through the ranks to become a general.
Pétain's leadership skills were put to the test during World War I when he played a crucial role in the defense of Verdun, one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the war. His success at Verdun earned him the nickname "The Lion of Verdun" and solidified his reputation as a skilled strategist and leader.
After the war, Pétain continued to serve in the French military and was eventually appointed as Chief of Staff of the French Army. However, his political views began to shift towards conservatism and he became increasingly critical of democracy and liberal values.
In 1940, as France faced defeat by Nazi Germany in World War II, Pétain was appointed as Prime Minister by President Albert Lebrun. He negotiated an armistice with Germany which divided France into occupied and unoccupied zones. Pétain then established an authoritarian regime known as Vichy France.