A Passion for Freedom

     In the eighteen and nineteen hundreds, Mahatma Gandhi was the primary leader of India’s independence movement.  Gandhi peacefully fought the British with his small, but significant actions and played an important role in achieving India’s independence.  Unlike Gandhi, Toussaint Louverture didn’t attempt peaceful resolutions to gain independence from France, but he fought for his country unswervingly and gained independence for Saint Domingue.  Saint Domingue declared its independence on January 1, 1804.  This amazing feat rose from the slave rebellions that Louverture led.  Toussaint Louverture had many qualities that made him a strong leader; he was a great military commander and ruler of Saint Domingue.  However, his work to liberate the slaves was the most significant because it highlights his passion for fighting for what he believes in. 

     Despite being born as a slave himself, Toussaint Louverture rose to become a liberator of slaves.  Toussaint encouraged slaves to fight for their freedom and liberty after the white refused to end slavery in Saint Domingue.  In 1797, Louverture writes to the French Directory when there were whispers that the government was going to reinstate slavery after Robespierre had abolished it.  Toussaint responds a severe letter.  In Toussaint’s opinion, it would be impossible to restore slavery in Saint Domingue because “they bore their chains when they knew no condition of life better than that of slavery.  But today when they have left it, if they had a thousand lives, they would sacrifice them all rather than be subjected again to slavery…”  (Doc B)  The people in Saint Domingue had tasted freedom; they knew what it was like to not work under a master.  It would be impossible to go back to servitudes and constrictions.  If the French Directory reinstates slavery, he declares “We have known how to confront danger to our liberty, and we will know how to confront death to preserve it.”  (Doc B)  The slaves were ready to fight to the death for their freedom.  In the Saint Domingue Constitution of 1801, Toussaint declares “There cannot exist slaves in this territory, servitude is therein forever abolished.  All men are born, live and die free and French.”  (Doc C)  He writes in the constitution how there will be no more slaves and how everyone is born free French men and women.  Toussaint Louverture was a confidant liberator of slave because he believed in independence and always fought for the freedom of the slaves.  

     Another important quality that makes Toussaint a person worth remembering is as a great military commander.  A slave revolt begins Louverture’s legacy.  In 1791, Toussaint joins a slave revolt serving as a doctor to the troops and a commander to a small detachment of slave soldiers.  In 1792, as a military commander, Toussaint gains respect for running a camp and for training his men in both guerrilla warfare and European style.  Finally in 1798, Toussaint defeats the British and becomes ruler of Saint Domingue.  (Doc A) In 1801, Hyacinthe Moyse, nephew of Toussaint led rebels against Toussaint.  They were “discontent with Toussaint’s draconian [cruel] labor policy and gathering suspicion of his friendliness with the white planter class.”  (Doc E) The citizens of Saint Domingue have already worked as slaves before their entire life and they are mad because things haven’t changed even after “gaining their freedom”.  (Doc E)  The former slaves no longer trusted Toussaint.  When the revolts broke out, Toussaint captured his nephew.  He ordered his arrest and execution.  Though Toussaint was a fair and nonbiased commander, he could have done better by addressing the problems of the former slaves before they got out of hand.  A secondary source by William Brown, “A Description of Toussaint Louverture”, describes Toussaint “by his superior knowledge of the character of his race, his humanity, generosity, and courage, had gained the confidence of all whom he had under his command.”  (Doc F)  These traits helped Toussaint gain the confidence and respect of his soldiers.  Toussaint was a confidant and fair military leader who never gave up and fought for his country. 

     Aside from being a brilliant commander and liberator, Toussaint was an unforgettable leader of Saint Domingue.  In 1798, Toussaint becomes the ruler of Saint Domingue.  (Doc A) Being unforgettable though doesn’t mean he was a good leader.  In article 3 of the Saint Domingue Constitution, Toussaint declares freedom to all former slaves.  Contradicting his statement though, in article 15, “Each plantation…shall represent the quiet haven of an active and constant family, of which the owner of the land…shall be the father.”  The previous owners of the land, the whites, are still the owners and the slaves still work for them.  The only difference is that everyone will be treated like family.  Article 28 mentions how Toussaint Louverture was governor of Saint Domingue for life.  He is a smart and good leader, but if he makes a mistake, he is leader for life.  Toussaint’s goal was to keep order.  In the proclamation written in November 25, 1801, Toussaint made some rules, “As soon as a child can walk, he should be employed on the plantation according to his strength in some useful work…”  Former slaves were once again put back to work.  Acts of sedition were brought to court and if a worker ran to another plantation, then they would go to prison.  He enforced strict rules and severe consequences.  Although Toussaint was a strict ruler with severe punishments, he was a significant leader who shall not be forgotten. 

      Toussaint Louverture died in 1802.  French troops captured him in a fight and Louverture was taken to France.  While Louverture was in France, the soldiers in Saint Domingue put up a brilliant fight and won.  Louverture couldn’t join the victory and celebration though.  He was dying from pneumonia in a French cell.  He never knew that two years later on January 1^st, Haiti would become an independent nation.  Like Mahatma Gandhi, Louverture was a great leader who fought for his country.  He should be remembered for his great leadership skills and military commands, but he should be most remembered for his passion to liberate slaves.