Peace treaty divides Haiti between Christophe and Pétion

Background. After the death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Haiti fractured into two distinct political entities. The north became a kingdom directed by Henri Christophe, who later declared himself Henri I. The south formed a republic centered on Port-au-Prince, led by Alexandre Pétion. These rival leaders engaged in an inconclusive struggle that persisted until 1810, necessitating a formal agreement to resolve the conflict.

Peace Treaty. The conflict between Christophe and Pétion ended with a peace treaty in 1810. This agreement officially split the country in two, confirming the division between the northern kingdom and the southern republic. The treaty marked the end of the active struggle between the two leaders, establishing a stable political boundary that allowed each faction to govern its respective territory.

Political Structures. The division of Haiti produced distinct political structures in each territory. In the north, Christophe declared the state of Haïti a kingdom in 1811 and had himself crowned by Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Brelle, the archbishop of Milot. In the south, Alexandre Sabès Pétion served as the first president of the Republic of Haiti, where he was backed by General Jean-Pierre Boyer, who controlled the southern armies.