Philippe Petain (April 24, 1856 - July 23, 1951) was a French Marshal and Dictator. After a distinguished military career Petain received various military commands during the great war, and by 1916 had become one of the best known Generals in French history. He and the other senior French commanders gained control of France following the fall of the empire in 1919, forming a military junta with other generals. In 1921 however, following the assassination of the junta's leader, Marshal Foch, Petain gained control of it. On May 1st 1923 he launched a bloodless coup that saw him assume absolute power as Head of State. Petain wheeled more power than even Napoleon I, and ruthlessly subdued political and military opponents. From 1925 - 1939 the political situation was much quieter, with politica