Toussaint L’Ouverture

Definition

Toussaint L'Ouverture was a former slave who became a key leader in the Haitian Revolution, which led to Haiti becoming the first independent black republic in the world.

Analogy

Think of Toussaint L'Ouverture as a coach who leads an underdog sports team to victory. Despite facing numerous challenges and having less resources than their opponents, they manage to win through determination, strategy, and teamwork.

Related terms

Haitian Revolution: The successful anti-slavery and anti-colonial insurrection by self-liberated slaves against French colonial rule in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti).

Abolitionism: A movement to end slavery that existed primarily in the North in years leading up to the Civil War; had both white and black members.

French Revolution: A period of radical political and societal change in France that lasted from 1789 until 1799, which had significant global impact including on colonies like Haiti.