AAASM.ORG
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF BLACK PEOPLE THROUGH
AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF BLACK PEOPLE THROUGH
AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION
| AAASM Black History Research Project |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Toussaint L'Overture May 20, 1743- April 7, 1803 |
Early years
Born François Dominique Toussaint Bréda, Toussaint Louverture was the
preeminent figure of the Haitian Revolution. A former slave, he became a
brilliant general and capable administrator, defeating British, Spanish, and
French troops, emancipating the slave population, and overseeing the
country's initial attempts at reforming its political and social structure. His
extraordinary efforts at reaching across lines of race and class set him apart
from his contemporaries, and his vision of a race-blind, independent country of
equals was ahead of his time. As skilled as he was on the battlefield, Toussaint
was equally at ease manipulating the machinery of politics and diplomacy.
Wise, intelligent, tireless, ascetic, pragmatic, opportunistic, fond of aesthetic
pleasures, the man many called "Papa Toussaint" grew up taking care of plants
and animals, and the theme of Toussaint as "father" or "caretaker" runs
throughout his life story.
Toussaint's true life story is a enigma, the details lost, disputed, or never
recorded. Indeed, even in life, Toussaint cultivated an air of mystery, the better
to keep his allies on their toes and his enemies off their guard. Simplistic
descriptions of his motivations or desires never seem to do the man justice, as
his aims seemed to evolve along with a rapidly changing political situation. True
to his chosen name, he continued throughout his life to find openings to
advance the cause of the citizens of Saint-Domingue. He never, it seems, beat
a straight course, but tacked back and forth to use the currents of history to his
advantage.
Born into slavery in 1743, Toussaint grew up on Bréda Plantation, near Le Cap
in the north of Saint-Domingue. As a boy, he was called Fatras Bâton, or
"Walking Stick". Though skinny and undersized, he was strong and energetic.
He had a natural affinity for animals and became a master horseman. He would
also develop a keen knowledge of horticulture. There exists no definitive
portrait of Toussaint, but he is widely reported to have been far from
handsome, yet possessing of an irresistible charisma.
There is a legend that Toussaint's father was Gaou-Ginou, an African chieftan
of the Arada tribe from Dahomey (the current Bénin), and Toussaint is reported
to have spoken at least some Aradas. However, it is probable that, as
Toussaint claimed, his father was the man who many have written was his
godfather, Pierre Baptiste Simon, an educated black slave. Regardless,
Toussaint was blessed with an informal education and a kind master, leaving
him somewhat sheltered from the horrific treatment that most black slaves
received in Saint-Domingue.
Toussaint Louverture is betrayed by the French
In 1802, Napoleon Bonaparte sent his brother-in-law General Leclerc with an
expedition of 20,000 soldiers and secret orders to retake control of the colony
and to reinstitute slavery. Toussaint's rebel forces put up fierce resistance,
ultimately causing Napoleon to commit 40,000 additional troops. Eventually,
though, critical hesitations along with defections and betrayals within his officer
corps led to Toussaint's surrender. Though allowed to retire from the field and
return to civilian life, Toussaint was eventually betrayed, kidnapped, and taken
to a prison in the French Alps. Upon leaving Saint-Domingue, Toussaint
remarked to Daniel Savary, a French captain, : "In overthrowing me, you have
cut down in Saint-Domingue only the trunk of the tree of liberty. It will spring up
again by the roots, for they are numerous." He never saw his country again.
Toussaint Louverture died in Fort de Joux on April 7, 1803, unaware that his
army would rally behind the leadership of his former general, Jean Jacques
Dessalines, to win the colony's independence for good. After many hard-fought
battles – the last of which was the Battle of Vertières – the newly liberated Haiti
declared independence on January 1, 1804.
In 2003 the international airport in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince was
renamed Toussaint Louverture Airport.
Born François Dominique Toussaint Bréda, Toussaint Louverture was the
preeminent figure of the Haitian Revolution. A former slave, he became a
brilliant general and capable administrator, defeating British, Spanish, and
French troops, emancipating the slave population, and overseeing the
country's initial attempts at reforming its political and social structure. His
extraordinary efforts at reaching across lines of race and class set him apart
from his contemporaries, and his vision of a race-blind, independent country of
equals was ahead of his time. As skilled as he was on the battlefield, Toussaint
was equally at ease manipulating the machinery of politics and diplomacy.
Wise, intelligent, tireless, ascetic, pragmatic, opportunistic, fond of aesthetic
pleasures, the man many called "Papa Toussaint" grew up taking care of plants
and animals, and the theme of Toussaint as "father" or "caretaker" runs
throughout his life story.
Toussaint's true life story is a enigma, the details lost, disputed, or never
recorded. Indeed, even in life, Toussaint cultivated an air of mystery, the better
to keep his allies on their toes and his enemies off their guard. Simplistic
descriptions of his motivations or desires never seem to do the man justice, as
his aims seemed to evolve along with a rapidly changing political situation. True
to his chosen name, he continued throughout his life to find openings to
advance the cause of the citizens of Saint-Domingue. He never, it seems, beat
a straight course, but tacked back and forth to use the currents of history to his
advantage.
Born into slavery in 1743, Toussaint grew up on Bréda Plantation, near Le Cap
in the north of Saint-Domingue. As a boy, he was called Fatras Bâton, or
"Walking Stick". Though skinny and undersized, he was strong and energetic.
He had a natural affinity for animals and became a master horseman. He would
also develop a keen knowledge of horticulture. There exists no definitive
portrait of Toussaint, but he is widely reported to have been far from
handsome, yet possessing of an irresistible charisma.
There is a legend that Toussaint's father was Gaou-Ginou, an African chieftan
of the Arada tribe from Dahomey (the current Bénin), and Toussaint is reported
to have spoken at least some Aradas. However, it is probable that, as
Toussaint claimed, his father was the man who many have written was his
godfather, Pierre Baptiste Simon, an educated black slave. Regardless,
Toussaint was blessed with an informal education and a kind master, leaving
him somewhat sheltered from the horrific treatment that most black slaves
received in Saint-Domingue.
Toussaint Louverture is betrayed by the French
In 1802, Napoleon Bonaparte sent his brother-in-law General Leclerc with an
expedition of 20,000 soldiers and secret orders to retake control of the colony
and to reinstitute slavery. Toussaint's rebel forces put up fierce resistance,
ultimately causing Napoleon to commit 40,000 additional troops. Eventually,
though, critical hesitations along with defections and betrayals within his officer
corps led to Toussaint's surrender. Though allowed to retire from the field and
return to civilian life, Toussaint was eventually betrayed, kidnapped, and taken
to a prison in the French Alps. Upon leaving Saint-Domingue, Toussaint
remarked to Daniel Savary, a French captain, : "In overthrowing me, you have
cut down in Saint-Domingue only the trunk of the tree of liberty. It will spring up
again by the roots, for they are numerous." He never saw his country again.
Toussaint Louverture died in Fort de Joux on April 7, 1803, unaware that his
army would rally behind the leadership of his former general, Jean Jacques
Dessalines, to win the colony's independence for good. After many hard-fought
battles – the last of which was the Battle of Vertières – the newly liberated Haiti
declared independence on January 1, 1804.
In 2003 the international airport in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince was
renamed Toussaint Louverture Airport.
Toussaint Louverture as a freed
slave
At age 33, Toussaint was given his
freedom. Toussaint married Suzanne
Simone Baptiste Louverture and had
two children with her. A few years
later, he would rent a plot of land, to
which were attached 13 slaves.
Toussaint owned at least one slave
himself, and would later give him his
drreway have been involved in the
planning of the Boukman Rebellion
of 1791, but what is certain is that he
joined the army officially very shortly
after the initial revolt. First working
as a doctor, Toussaint soon became
a military commander, and his skill in
battle would become legendary. He
was both feared and respected by
allies and enemies alike. Toussaint
would maintain the highest moral and
ethical standards throughout his
campaigns.
Toussaint was not immune to the
racial pressures of his day, though
he did more than most in his time to
promote equality. Indeed, he took
extraordinary measures throughout
his military and political life to treat all
races equally and fairly, and the trust
this engendered helped him solidify
his control of the colony. However,
when a regiment of mulattos
defected to the enemy, causing him
to lose a battle with the British at St.
Marc, he vowed to never truly trust
them again.
In August 1793, Toussaint used the
name L'Ouverture, or, "The Opener
of the way," in a document for the
first time. The origins of the name
are unclear, and several hypotheses
seem plausible. One is that he was
given the name for his uncanny
ability to find and exploit openings on
the battlefield. He might have given
himself the name for similar reasons,
or it may have started as a friendly
taunt, referring to the gap in his
teeth courtesy of a spent bullet.
Whatever the origin, Toussaint
dropped the apostrophe in short
order and became simply Toussaint
Louverture.
Having consolidated his control of
the colony by (1799?), Toussaint set
about securing its long term
independence. He proposed a
constitution that ensured equal
treatment for all races (and made
him governor-for-life). He negotiated
informal trade agreements with
Britain and the United States, and
instituted forced labor policies
intended to keep the colony's
productivity high. It was during this
period of relative peace and
prosperity that Toussaint's power
began to wane.
Toussaint was the Governor General
of Saint-Domingue from April 1, 1797
to May 5, 1802.
slave
At age 33, Toussaint was given his
freedom. Toussaint married Suzanne
Simone Baptiste Louverture and had
two children with her. A few years
later, he would rent a plot of land, to
which were attached 13 slaves.
Toussaint owned at least one slave
himself, and would later give him his
drreway have been involved in the
planning of the Boukman Rebellion
of 1791, but what is certain is that he
joined the army officially very shortly
after the initial revolt. First working
as a doctor, Toussaint soon became
a military commander, and his skill in
battle would become legendary. He
was both feared and respected by
allies and enemies alike. Toussaint
would maintain the highest moral and
ethical standards throughout his
campaigns.
Toussaint was not immune to the
racial pressures of his day, though
he did more than most in his time to
promote equality. Indeed, he took
extraordinary measures throughout
his military and political life to treat all
races equally and fairly, and the trust
this engendered helped him solidify
his control of the colony. However,
when a regiment of mulattos
defected to the enemy, causing him
to lose a battle with the British at St.
Marc, he vowed to never truly trust
them again.
In August 1793, Toussaint used the
name L'Ouverture, or, "The Opener
of the way," in a document for the
first time. The origins of the name
are unclear, and several hypotheses
seem plausible. One is that he was
given the name for his uncanny
ability to find and exploit openings on
the battlefield. He might have given
himself the name for similar reasons,
or it may have started as a friendly
taunt, referring to the gap in his
teeth courtesy of a spent bullet.
Whatever the origin, Toussaint
dropped the apostrophe in short
order and became simply Toussaint
Louverture.
Having consolidated his control of
the colony by (1799?), Toussaint set
about securing its long term
independence. He proposed a
constitution that ensured equal
treatment for all races (and made
him governor-for-life). He negotiated
informal trade agreements with
Britain and the United States, and
instituted forced labor policies
intended to keep the colony's
productivity high. It was during this
period of relative peace and
prosperity that Toussaint's power
began to wane.
Toussaint was the Governor General
of Saint-Domingue from April 1, 1797
to May 5, 1802.
Geography
Haiti, in the West Indies,
occupies the western third of the
island of Hispaniola, which it
shares with the Dominican
Republic. About the size of
Maryland, Haiti is two-thirds
mountainous, with the rest of the
country marked by great valleys,
extensive plateaus, and small
plains.
Government
Republic with an elected
government.
History
Explored by Columbus on Dec.
6, 1492, Haiti's native Arawaks
fell victim to Spanish rule. In
1697, Haiti became the French
colony of Saint-Dominique,
which became a leading
sugarcane producer dependent
on slaves. In 1791, an
insurrection erupted among the
slave population of 480,000,
resulting in a declaration of
independence by Pierre-
Dominique Toussaint l'Ouverture
in 1801. Napoléon Bonaparte
suppressed the independence
movement, but it eventually
triumphed in 1804 under Jean-
Jacques Dessalines, who gave
the new nation the Arawak name
Haiti. It was the world's first
independent black republic.
The revolution wrecked Haiti's
economy. Years of strife between
the light-skinned mulattos who
dominated the economy and the
majority black population, plus
disputes with neighboring Santo
Domingo, continued to hurt the
nation's development. After a
succession of dictatorships, a
bankrupt Haiti accepted a U.S.
customs receivership from 1905
to 1941. Occupation by U.S.
Marines from 1915 to 1934
brought stability. Haiti's high
population growth made it the
most densely populated nation
in the Western Hemisphere.
In 1949, after four years of
democratic rule by President
Dumarsais Estimé, dictatorship
returned under Gen. Paul
Magloire, who was succeeded by
François Duvalier, nicknamed
“Papa Doc,” in 1957. Duvalier's
secret police, the “Tontons
Macoutes,” ensured political
stability with brutal efficiency.
Upon Duvalier's death in 1971,
his son, Jean-Claude, or “Baby
Doc,” succeeded as ruler of the
poorest nation in the
hemisphere. In the early 1980s,
Haiti became one of the first
countries to face an AIDS
epidemic. Fear of the disease
caused tourists to stay away, and
the tourist industry collapsed,
causing rising unemployment.
Unrest generated by the
economic crisis forced Baby Doc
to flee the country in 1986.
Haiti, in the West Indies,
occupies the western third of the
island of Hispaniola, which it
shares with the Dominican
Republic. About the size of
Maryland, Haiti is two-thirds
mountainous, with the rest of the
country marked by great valleys,
extensive plateaus, and small
plains.
Government
Republic with an elected
government.
History
Explored by Columbus on Dec.
6, 1492, Haiti's native Arawaks
fell victim to Spanish rule. In
1697, Haiti became the French
colony of Saint-Dominique,
which became a leading
sugarcane producer dependent
on slaves. In 1791, an
insurrection erupted among the
slave population of 480,000,
resulting in a declaration of
independence by Pierre-
Dominique Toussaint l'Ouverture
in 1801. Napoléon Bonaparte
suppressed the independence
movement, but it eventually
triumphed in 1804 under Jean-
Jacques Dessalines, who gave
the new nation the Arawak name
Haiti. It was the world's first
independent black republic.
The revolution wrecked Haiti's
economy. Years of strife between
the light-skinned mulattos who
dominated the economy and the
majority black population, plus
disputes with neighboring Santo
Domingo, continued to hurt the
nation's development. After a
succession of dictatorships, a
bankrupt Haiti accepted a U.S.
customs receivership from 1905
to 1941. Occupation by U.S.
Marines from 1915 to 1934
brought stability. Haiti's high
population growth made it the
most densely populated nation
in the Western Hemisphere.
In 1949, after four years of
democratic rule by President
Dumarsais Estimé, dictatorship
returned under Gen. Paul
Magloire, who was succeeded by
François Duvalier, nicknamed
“Papa Doc,” in 1957. Duvalier's
secret police, the “Tontons
Macoutes,” ensured political
stability with brutal efficiency.
Upon Duvalier's death in 1971,
his son, Jean-Claude, or “Baby
Doc,” succeeded as ruler of the
poorest nation in the
hemisphere. In the early 1980s,
Haiti became one of the first
countries to face an AIDS
epidemic. Fear of the disease
caused tourists to stay away, and
the tourist industry collapsed,
causing rising unemployment.
Unrest generated by the
economic crisis forced Baby Doc
to flee the country in 1986.
Throughout the 1990s the international community tried to establish democracy in Haiti. The
country's first elected chief executive, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a leftist Roman Catholic priest
who seemed to promise a new era in Haiti, took office in Feb. 1991. The military, however,
took control in a coup nine months later. A UN peacekeeping force, led by the U.S.—Operation
Uphold Democracy—arrived in 1994. Aristide was restored to office and René Preval became
his successor in 1996 elections. U.S. soldiers and UN peacekeepers left in 2000. Haiti's
government, however, remained ineffectual and its economy was in ruins. Haiti has the
highest rates of AIDS, malnutrition, and infant mortality in the region.
In 2000, former president Aristide was reelected president in elections boycotted by the
opposition and questioned by many foreign observers. The U.S. and other countries
threatened Haiti with sanctions unless democratic procedures were strengthened. Aristide,
once a charismatic champion of democracy, grew more authoritarian and seemed incapable
of improving the lot of his people. Violent protests rocked the country in Jan. 2004, the month
of Haiti's bicentennial, with protesters demanding that Aristide resign. By February, a full-
blown armed revolt was under way, and Aristide's hold on power continued to slip. The
protests, groups of armed rebels, and French and American pressure led to the ousting of
Aristide on Feb. 29. Thereafter a U.S.-led international force of 2,300 entered the chaos-
engulfed country to attempt to restore order, and an interim government took over. In
September, Hurricane Jeanne ravaged Haiti, killing more than 2,400 people. Lawlessness
and gang violence were widespread, and the interim government had no control over parts of
the country, which were run by armed former soldiers.
After numerous delays, Haiti held elections on Feb. 7, 2006. The elections, backed by 9,000
United Nations troops, were seen as a crucial step in returning Haiti to some semblance of
stability. Former prime minister and Aristide protegé René Préval, very popular among the
poor, was seen as the favorite. But when the election count indicated that Préval's lead over
the other candidate was dropping and that he would not win an outright majority, Préval
contested the election and charged that “massive fraud and gross errors had stained the
process.” On Feb. 14, the interim government halted the election count, and the following day,
after the votes were retabulated, Préval was declared the winner.
In April 2008, Prime Minister Jacques-Édouard Alexis was removed from office by the Senate,
which held him responsible for the poor economy. On April 12, after violent street riots,
President René Préval announced that he would cut the cost of rice by nearly 16%. On April
27, President René Preval designated Ericq Pierre as the new prime minister, but the lower
house of Parliament rejected Pierre, 51 to 35, in May. On July 14, parliament approved the
nomination of Michèle Pierre-Louis for prime minister. On July 31, 2008, Michèle Pierre-Louis
was approved by a 12-0 Senate vote, making her the second woman prime minister of Haiti,
and ending the country's three-month political stalemate.
country's first elected chief executive, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a leftist Roman Catholic priest
who seemed to promise a new era in Haiti, took office in Feb. 1991. The military, however,
took control in a coup nine months later. A UN peacekeeping force, led by the U.S.—Operation
Uphold Democracy—arrived in 1994. Aristide was restored to office and René Preval became
his successor in 1996 elections. U.S. soldiers and UN peacekeepers left in 2000. Haiti's
government, however, remained ineffectual and its economy was in ruins. Haiti has the
highest rates of AIDS, malnutrition, and infant mortality in the region.
In 2000, former president Aristide was reelected president in elections boycotted by the
opposition and questioned by many foreign observers. The U.S. and other countries
threatened Haiti with sanctions unless democratic procedures were strengthened. Aristide,
once a charismatic champion of democracy, grew more authoritarian and seemed incapable
of improving the lot of his people. Violent protests rocked the country in Jan. 2004, the month
of Haiti's bicentennial, with protesters demanding that Aristide resign. By February, a full-
blown armed revolt was under way, and Aristide's hold on power continued to slip. The
protests, groups of armed rebels, and French and American pressure led to the ousting of
Aristide on Feb. 29. Thereafter a U.S.-led international force of 2,300 entered the chaos-
engulfed country to attempt to restore order, and an interim government took over. In
September, Hurricane Jeanne ravaged Haiti, killing more than 2,400 people. Lawlessness
and gang violence were widespread, and the interim government had no control over parts of
the country, which were run by armed former soldiers.
After numerous delays, Haiti held elections on Feb. 7, 2006. The elections, backed by 9,000
United Nations troops, were seen as a crucial step in returning Haiti to some semblance of
stability. Former prime minister and Aristide protegé René Préval, very popular among the
poor, was seen as the favorite. But when the election count indicated that Préval's lead over
the other candidate was dropping and that he would not win an outright majority, Préval
contested the election and charged that “massive fraud and gross errors had stained the
process.” On Feb. 14, the interim government halted the election count, and the following day,
after the votes were retabulated, Préval was declared the winner.
In April 2008, Prime Minister Jacques-Édouard Alexis was removed from office by the Senate,
which held him responsible for the poor economy. On April 12, after violent street riots,
President René Préval announced that he would cut the cost of rice by nearly 16%. On April
27, President René Preval designated Ericq Pierre as the new prime minister, but the lower
house of Parliament rejected Pierre, 51 to 35, in May. On July 14, parliament approved the
nomination of Michèle Pierre-Louis for prime minister. On July 31, 2008, Michèle Pierre-Louis
was approved by a 12-0 Senate vote, making her the second woman prime minister of Haiti,
and ending the country's three-month political stalemate.
