Friday, November 21, 2014

Remembering Toussaint Louverture

Behind every independent country is a ruler that made it that way.  Toussaint Louverture was the man at the head of the slave rebellion of Saint Domingue.  He did many things for the people of Saint Domingue.  For example he was a liberator of slaves, military commander, and a ruler of Saint Domingue.  With all his roles in Haitian revolution he was remembered most as being a liberator of slaves.

Toussaint Louverture was remembered most as a liberator of slaves because he abolished slavery, and he fought to keep their freedom.  For example Toussaint fights for the former slaves freedom because in Document B he writes a letter to the french directory because they were trying to reinstate slavery.  He is basically saying that these men(former slaves) are now free and if you try to reinstate slavery they will fight and revolt against them.  Document B states "Could men who have enjoyed the benefits of liberty took on calmly while it is taken from them!"  this means that these men have enjoyed the perks of being free and you can't plan on taking away their freedom without a fight.  Also he was a big part in abolishing slavery.  For example in Document A it states "A slave revolt begins in the north of Saint Domingue, Toussaint joins the revolution and serves as a doctor to the troops; he also commands a small detachment of slave soldiers."  this shows that he had a big part in abolishing slavery because he helped the wounded soldiers and he led a group of soldiers in battle.  The sacrifices he made to help these slaves shows how courageous of a leader he was.

Toussaint also played a big role as a military commander in the Haitian revolution.  In Document F it states "Toussaint levied fresh forces, raised the reputation of the army, and drove the English and Spanish from the island"  this shows that he had complete control of his army and that he was a successful military commander seeing that he drove the English and Spanish off the island.  Toussaint had complete rule over his military, for example when Hyacinthe Moyse tried to lead a revolt aginst Toussaint he had Moyse's men step out and shoot them selves in the head, and later he arrested Moyse and had him executed.  This shows how Toussaint showed his power as the military commander.  Toussaint was also a very skilled strategical commander.  For example in Document E it talks about how when the French were coming to the port of Samana he burnt it down to force the French to go through the mountains where Toussaint's men were waited and they used the guerrilla fighting style.  Even though he was a very popular military commander he was definitely more remembered as a liberator of slaves.

Finally Toussaint Louverture was also remembered as a ruler of Saint Domingue.  Document C shows that Toussaint was a good ruler, for example it states "Toussaint Louverture assembled and headed the  commission that created Saint Domingue's constitution of 1801.  While its citizens were now all free, Saint Domingue still remained a colony of France."  this shows that he cared about the people by making a constitution for the people to have their freedom. Also it shows that he is a good fair leader to everyone.  The only flaw is that in Article 28 of Document C it says that Toussaint will be leader for life and that is selfish and also that people the people in a sticky situation because if he starts doing a bad job or if they don't like the job he is doing they can't get rid of him.  He definitely made a lasting imprint as the ruler of Saint Domingue but he was still definitely remembered more as a liberator of slaves.

Toussaint Louverture was successful as a liberator of slaves, millitary commander, and a ruler of Saint Domingue.  Also, he left an imprint that will make him be remembered forever.  Some people didn't like him and some did.  He made a big impact on a lot of peoples lives in a good way. Aside from all that he was definitely most remembered as being a liberator of slaves.

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