Toussaint Louverture
Toussaint Louverture (c. 1743-1803), formerly enslaved general who led the Haitian Revolution and governed Saint-Domingue until his deportation to France in 1802.
Category: Figures
- c. 1743Birth of Toussaint Louverture on a plantation near Cap-Français
Toussaint, later called Louverture, is born enslaved in Saint-Domingue, most likely on the Bréda plantation near Cap-Français. 20 May 1743 is the usual date, but it is uncertain.
- c. 1776Toussaint Louverture is freed from slavery in Saint-Domingue
Between about 1772 and 1776 Toussaint gains his freedom while working on the Bréda plantation. Historians long thought he stayed enslaved until the revolution; records of 1776-77 show otherwise.
- c. June 1793Toussaint Louverture joins the Spanish side against the French colonial government
In 1793 Toussaint follows rebel leaders Jean-François and Biassou into alliance with Spain, which holds the east of Hispaniola. Sources suggest early June; the date is not firm.
- August 29, 1793Toussaint Louverture issues the Camp Turel proclamation
On 29 August 1793, the day Sonthonax decrees emancipation in the north, Toussaint calls on the Black population to join him as 'Louverture'. The name is first recorded about this time.
- May 1794Toussaint Louverture leaves the Spanish side and rallies to the French Republic
In May 1794, after the Convention's abolition decree, Toussaint Louverture turns his forces against Spain and Britain and joins France's side in Saint-Domingue. He rises to become the colony's leading general.
- 1796Toussaint Louverture rescues Governor Laveaux and becomes lieutenant governor
After Villatte's coup of 20 March 1796 seizes Governor Étienne Laveaux, Toussaint's troops free him. Laveaux names Toussaint lieutenant governor, making him the colony's second-ranking official.
- 1798Britain agrees with Toussaint Louverture to leave Saint-Domingue
After the Maitland-Louverture armistice of 30 March 1798 British troops evacuate their occupied zones on Saint-Domingue, ending a five-year intervention begun in 1793. Sources give August to October for the final departure.
- October 1798Toussaint Louverture forces French agent Hédouville to leave Saint-Domingue
In October 1798 Gabriel Hédouville, sent by Paris to curb Toussaint, sails for France after Toussaint and Dessalines threaten his arrest. Toussaint becomes the colony's effective ruler.
- June 1799 – July 1800Toussaint Louverture defeats André Rigaud in the War of the Knives
From June 1799 to July 1800 Toussaint's forces fight the mulatto general André Rigaud for control of the south of Saint-Domingue. Toussaint wins and becomes master of the whole French colony.
- 1801Toussaint Louverture takes Spanish Santo Domingo and unites the island
In 1801 Toussaint Louverture's army occupies Spanish Santo Domingo, ceded to France at Basel in 1795, freeing its slaves and making him ruler of all Hispaniola. Paris had not authorised the move.
- July 1801Toussaint Louverture promulgates a constitution making himself governor for life
A constitution proclaimed in July 1801 makes Saint-Domingue a self-governing French colony, bans slavery forever and names Toussaint Louverture governor for life. Napoleon sees it as a challenge to French authority.
- 1802French forces arrest Toussaint Louverture and deport him to France
In 1802 General Leclerc has Toussaint Louverture seized under Napoleon's secret orders and shipped to France with his family. He is jailed at Fort de Joux. Sources give May or June for the arrest.
- February 1802Napoleon's brother-in-law Leclerc lands a French army in Saint-Domingue
In early February 1802 General Charles Leclerc arrives at Saint-Domingue with a large expeditionary force sent by Napoleon to restore French control. Toussaint retreats to the mountains and war resumes.
- March 2, 1802 – March 24, 1802French army takes Crête-à-Pierrot from Dessalines after a three-week siege
From 2 to 24 March 1802 Dessalines's troops hold the fort against Leclerc's army. The French win at heavy cost, but the resistance weakens Leclerc, who is struck by yellow fever.
- May 1802Toussaint Louverture submits to Leclerc in return for an amnesty
In early May 1802, after Dessalines and other officers defect, Toussaint recognises Leclerc's authority and retires to his estate at Ennery. Sources give 2, 6 or 7 May.
- April 7, 1803Toussaint Louverture dies in captivity at Fort de Joux
Toussaint Louverture dies on 7 April 1803 in the French fortress of Fort de Joux near Besançon, probably of pneumonia and the harshness of his imprisonment. The war in Saint-Domingue goes on without him.