Toussaint Louverture (1743–1803) was a key leader of the Haitian Revolution, which resulted in the first successful slave rebellion and led to the establishment of Haiti as the first independent Black republic in 1804. Born into slavery on the French colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), Toussaint gained his freedom and eventually became a skilled military leader and a shrewd political strategist.
Early Life and Rise to Leadership:
- Birth and Enslavement: Toussaint was born on a plantation in Saint-Domingue and was relatively privileged compared to other enslaved people. He learned to read and write, and his intelligence and leadership abilities were recognized early on.
- Manumission: He gained his freedom in his thirties and began managing a small farm with enslaved workers, showing his capacity for leadership and administration.
- Start of the Revolution: In 1791, a massive slave revolt broke out in Saint-Domingue. Though Toussaint initially stayed out of the early stages of the rebellion, he soon joined the ranks and quickly became one of the most prominent leaders.