The Legacy of Louverture (DBQ)

Rulers should possess countless admirable qualities, such as honesty, eloquence, compassion, etc. A great ruler is typically only remembered for one specific quality, even if they possess all of the previously mentioned and more. Toussaint Louverture, the leader of the wildly remembered slave rebellion in Haiti, had many different aspects of his character and is remembered differently by historians today. Toussaint was born into slavery in the 1740s on the island of Saint Domingue which was first established as Hispaniola by Columbus and later renamed the independent country of Haiti. Under French control and producing 40% of the world's sugar as well as more than 50% of the world's coffee, Saint Domingue was one of the richest colonies in the world. In 1789, when the ideas of the French Revolution spread to the island, slaves, working on the plantations to produce the sugar and coffee, decided it was time to fight for their freedom. As a newly freed man, Toussaint Louverture played his part in helping the revolutionaries fight for their cause by commanding a rebel army of 4,000 troops in 1793. By 1794 he was appointed commander-in-chief of the army of Saint Domingue after France had abolished slavery and he had pledged his allegiance. Unfortunately, when Napoleon rose to power, there were rumors of reinstating slavery on the island. Toussaint then retracted his allegiance to France and led the islanders to put up an impressive fight against the 21,000 French troops invading the island in 1802. Toussaint was captured and brought to France where he died from pneumonia in a jail cell. He never knew Haiti defeated Napoleon and got their freedom in 1804. As such an influential leader, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what Toussaint’s legacy was. A legacy is what gets passed down from generation to generation in someone’s memory. Toussaint Louverture should be remembered as a liberator of slaves, a military commander, and the ruler of Saint Domingue.

Despite his admirable military tactics and his inspiring leadership skills, Toussaint should be remembered as a liberator of slaves because that was his main goal throughout the revolution. In 1974, “The revolutionary government in France under Robespierre abolishes slavery in France and all its colonies; Toussaint and his troops stop their revolt and now support the French.” (A). After fighting against the French for almost five years, Toussaint allies with his former enemy as soon as they give him what he wants: freedom for the people of Saint Domingue. And, when, “Napoleon sends 21,000 soldiers to Saint Domingue to reinstate slavery” (A), Toussaint switches back to fighting against France. The stability of his allegiances were questionable but his dedication to the cause definite. Toussaint was fighting to abolish slavery and whoever was against that was his opponent. When it was rumored that the French Directory wanted to reinstate slavery, Toussaint wrote a letter in which he threatened the French by saying, “We have known how to confront danger to our liberty, and we will know how to confront death to preserve it.” (B). He cannot and will not submit to the chains of slavery after he’s worked so hard to be free. Toussaint only plays the role of a military leader, threatening to use his troops against France, when it’s necessary to complete his task as a liberator of slaves.

Although not as important as freeing his fellow captives, Toussaint was a remarkable military commander. It is said that, “By his genius and surpassing activity, Toussaint levied fresh forces, raised the reputation of the army, and drove the English and Spanish from the island…” (F). Toussaint’s admirably strong grasp on the forces of Saint Domingue and the positive effect his leadership had on them was well known during this time. Not only was he marvelous in leading his troops to victory, but he also knew how to handle the soldiers when they got unruly. When a revolt broke out against his newly implemented labor policy, which stated free workers must return to work in the plantations, Toussaint showed how he reacts to soldiers who aren’t doing their jobs: “Toussaint himself was so enraged that when he passed through the rebel zone he ordered the mutineer regiments on parade and summoned certain men to step out of the ranks and blow their brains out…” (E). Sentencing the rebellious soldiers to death may be a bit harsh, but it kept Toussaint in control of the island and stabilized his position as the leader. His remarkable leadership abilities stretched farther than just the military.

Toussaint Louverture is also remembered as the capable ruler of Saint Domingue. He is declared their ruler in the constitution when it says, “The Constitution nominate citizen Toussaint-Louverture, Chief General of the army of Saint-Domingue and… he is entrusted the direction thereof for the remainder of his glorious life.” (C). The island of Saint Domingue had already seen Toussaint’s leadership qualities during the early revolts and he had shown them that they can instill their faith in him. Unfortunately, the citizens did not always realize he had their best interests at heart. In 1801, after Toussaint implemented new laws of labor, one of which stating, “As soon as a child can walk, he should be employed on the plantation according to his strength in some useful work…” (D), the citizens began to turn on him. Toussaint knew if their production rates for their crops went down after France had abolished slavery, slavery would be reestablished. He wanted what was best for the islanders and if hard decisions had to be made, he was willing to make them.

Throughout Toussaint Louverture’s life, his main goal was not to be the great ruler of Saint Domingue or a notable military leader, but only to be a liberator of slaves. He threatened the French Directory with his military forces, but only when it was necessary in order to avoid the reimplementation of slavery. He made harsh decisions as a military commander to ensure the newly free citizens of Saint Domingue would remain under control and not display any signs for possibly being better off in a society with slavery. As the ruler of Saint Domingue he implemented laws that would keep the island’s production rates high so France would have no reason to think slavery was required for the island to make the money they had previously been making with slavery. Although Toussaint Louverture took strong actions in the fields of military and ultimate leadership, his intentions were always focused on the liberation of slaves.

A: Created from various sources.

B: Toussaint Louverture, “Letter to the French Directory, November 1797.”

C: The Saint Domingue Constitution of 1801. Signed by Toussaint Louverture in July 1801.

D: Toussaint Louverture, “Proclamation, 25 November 1801.”

E: Madison Smartt Bell, Toussaint Louverture: A Biography, 2007.

F: William Wells Brown, “A Description of Toussaint Louverture,” from The Black Man, His Antecedents, His Genius, and His Achievements, 2^nd edition, 1863. Engraving of Toussaint Louverture, 1802.