Toussaint Louverture
A leader of the Haitian Revolution who rose from slave to general and died in a French prison.
Life
Born a slave
Toussaint was born a slave on a plantation in Northern Saint-Domingue. He could read and knew herbal medicine, and he gained his freedom around 1776.
Revolutionary general
After the slave revolt broke out in 1791, he joined the rebels and became a leader thanks to his organizational and military talents. He first cooperated with Spain, then, after France declared the abolition of slavery in 1794, switched sides to France and defeated the Spanish and British armies. In 1801 he took control of the whole island of Hispaniola, promulgated a constitution and made himself Governor-General for Life.
Fort de Joux
In 1802 Napoleon sent Leclerc with a large army to restore colonial rule. Toussaint was lured into a trap and arrested during negotiations, taken to Fort de Joux in France's Jura Mountains, and died in prison in April 1803.
Legacy
Toussaint was the first person to successfully lead a slave revolution, and he profoundly influenced the abolitionist movements on both sides of the Atlantic.
Major works & achievements
- 1801 Constitution of Santo Domingo
Did you know? As he was taken aboard the ship, he said: "In overthrowing me, you have cut down only the trunk of the tree of liberty in Saint-Domingue; it will spring up again from its roots." (attributed)
Key dates
- 1743Born in Saint-Domingue (approx.)
- 1791Joined the slave revolt
- 1794Switched sides to France
- 1801Promulgated a constitution and took control of the whole island
- 1802Lured into a trap and arrested
- 1803Died in a French prison