François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture, born on this day in 1743, was a Haitian general and leader of the Haitian Revolution, the first successful slave revolution in the Americas. Haiti was the first country in the region to outlaw slavery.
Louverture's participation in the war was complex, first fighting for the Spanish against the French; then for France against Spain and Great Britain; and finally, he fought on behalf of independence for Saint-Domingue against the French.
Initially, Louverture was only supportive of fighting for better living conditions for the enslaved, but, after committing to the full abolition of slavery in 1791, he issued a proclamation at Camp Turel of St. Domingue: "Brothers and friends, I am Toussaint Louverture; perhaps my name has made itself known to you. I have undertaken vengeance. I want Liberty and Equality to reign in St Domingue. I am working to make that happen. Unite yourselves to us, brothers and fight with us for the same cause."
As a revolutionary leader, Louverture's military and political acumen helped transform the fledgling slave rebellion into a revolutionary movement. He governed Saint-Domingue with varying degrees of power for several years, proclaiming an autonomous constitution for the colony in 1801 that declared himself its governor for life.
Louverture was eventually tricked into being arrested by Brunet, a French General, and deported to France, where he died of unknown causes while imprisoned. Shortly thereafter, the colony finally achieved independence under the leadership of Jean-Jacques Dessalines.
"This gun is liberty; hold for certain that the day when you no more have it, you will be returned to slavery."
- Toussaint Louverture
Toussaint Louverture 2012 (English Subtitles) :louverture-shining:
Revolutions Podcast by Mike Duncan - S4: Haitian Revolution - Episode 1 :france-cool:
The Haitian Revolution - The Slave Society - Extra History - #1 :JB-shining-aggro:
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