Toussaint Louverture, Father of the First Black Republic (aka François Dominique Toussaint Louverture (and Toussaint Bréda) Born in 1742 in Haut-du-Cap, Haiti - Died in France in April 7, 1803
Toussaint Louverture
Toussaint L'Ouverture is considered the father of Haiti. Inspired by the French Revolution, the gens de couleur pressed the colonial government for expanded rights. In October 1790, 350 revolted against the government. On May 15, 1791, the French National Assembly granted political rights to all blacks and mulattoes who had been born free - but did not change the status quo regarding slavery. On August 22, 1791, slaves in the north rose initially at Bois-Caiman against their masters near Cap-Français (now Cap-Haïtien). This revolution spread rapidly and came under the leadership of Toussaint L'Ouverture. He soon formed alliances with the gens de couleur and the maroons, whose rights had been revoked by the French government in retailiation for the uprising. Toussaint's armies defeated the French colonial army, but then joined forces with it in 1794, following a decree by the revolutionary French government that abolished slavery. Under Toussaint's command, the Saint-Domingue army then defeated invading Spanish and British forces. This cooperation between Toussaint and French forces ended in 1802, however, when Napoleon sent a new invasion force designed to subdue the colony; many islanders suspected the army would also reimpose slavery. Napoleon's forces initially were successful at fighting their way onto the island, and persuaded Toussaint to a truce. He was then betrayed, captured and died in a French prison. This backfired on the French, as it motivated Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Henri Christophe, leaders of separate military factions, to resume the rebellion. Napoleon's forces were were defeated by Dessalines at the Battle of Vertières on November 18, 1803. On January 1, 1804 the nation declared its independence, securing its position as the second independent country in the New World, and the only successful slave rebellion in world history.
Toussaint Louverture autographed handwritten letter addressed to General Henri
Death Certificate (Acte de deces) and Signature of Toussaint Louverture the Great Haitian Hero
Death Certificate (Acte de Deces) of Toussaint Louverture
Signature of Toussaint Louverture
Click on the image below to watch the video of Toussaint Louverture's death certificate and signature
Actor Danny Glover in the Role of Toussaint Louverture At Canergie Hall , New York
Artist/Activist Smith Georges with Actor Danny Glover
Artist/Activist Smith Georges with Activist/Professor Ron Daniels and Actor Danny Glover
Headline
"The Heroes" by Smith Georges (Toussaint Louverture, Dessalines, Petion, Christophe, Boukman)
THE HAITIAN REVOLUTION
This was one of the greatest feats in human history. Over a span of fifteen years, enslaved Africans defeated the colonial forces England, Spain and the mighty armies of Napoleon Bonaparte. This monumental achievement occured at the height of the Trans Atlantic slave trade and therefore was a powerful inspiration to all enslaved and colonized people and particularly African people everywhere.
The Haitians produced the world's only successful slaves revolution in 1791. From 1804 to present, there have been Haitian King, Emperors and Presidents. After suffering cruel, inhuman and barbaric treatment in the hands of their oppressors, the Haitians rose up and fought bloody battles to defeat colonialism and imperialism. Toussaint Louverture defeated the Spanish, the British, and the French (Napoleonic army). The Haitians gained their freedom through self-detemination. The Haitians are strong and proud people. They are simply amazing for what they have accomplished by leaving their indelible imprints profoundly inscribed in the annals of world history. In January 1804, they declared their independence. In the 18th century, the Atlantic stage was shared with three democratic revolutions: the American Revolution, the French Revolution and the Haitian Revolution. In 1791, the Haitians accomplished the unthinkable and shocked the world when they defeated the troops of Napoleon to create the world's First Black Republic. As a result, Haiti was to be shunned by much of the international community and this attitude can still be felt today. Madison and Monroe were not any different. When the independence of Haiti was debated again in the U.S. Senate in 1820, the Southern Senators voted against the recognition of Haiti's independence. Their rationalization was that they could not recognize a Republic created by black slaves who rose up to defeat the white slaveholders. The Haitians continued to help to spread the contagious seeds of freedom across the world. In 1774, Jean-Baptiste Point Du Sable, founded the City of Chicago. In 1779, The Haitian saved U.S. revolution in Savannah, Georgia. The first ornithologist in the U.S. was the Haitian born John James Audubon. In 1813 and 1815, the Haitians helped Simon Bolivar and Francisco Miranda in the fights for the independence of Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. In 1820, Haiti assisted Greece during its struggle for independence against Turkey. The Haitians declared their independence in 1804. It was until 1862 that the U.S. (Abraham Lincoln) recognized Haiti; while the French Revolution was welcomed by the U.S.. Frederick Douglas said, in one of his speeches in 1893 "The freedom that has come to the colored race is largely due to the brave stand taken by the sons of Haiti". He was the first African American to become consul (in Haiti) , a prestigious position. The founders of the First Black Republic were: General Toussaint Louverture, the genius; Emperor JeanJacques Dessalines; King Henri I (Henri Christophe) and General Alexandre Petion. Toussaint Louverture claimed a Universal Human Right to Freedom and Citizenship for all slaves and former slaves.
