Socialized with plantation owners and workers. Maintained appearance of grandeur and acquired land as previous governors had. Lived a frugal existence Ate little Slept little Rode over 100 miles a day on horse back
Divided Haiti into six departments Haitian Constitution 1801 Toussaint called Colonial Assembly and had them organize elections for Central Assembly Abolished Slavery forever. Created courts and courts of appeal Taxes /Tariffs Gave gourde universal value in the colony.
Economy Toussaint believed that the revival of the plantation economy was necessary to rebuild the colony No exports no way of keeping his army that was at 40,000 strong. No army = return of French =return of slavery Plan to require ex slaves to work on plantations in return for share of the produce. Unemployment was a crime.
Former slaves did not want to return to their former plantations Preferred, instead, to establish small land holdings. Toussaint used military to force people to work Even sanctioned the use of corporal punishment. Gave land to officers Encouraged return of White French planters. For their technical skills and know how. What was Toussaint’s plan? Colony or Independence?
The new plantation regime caused former slaves to worry Caused officers to worry about their own position Moise rebels and kills White planters in the Northern plain. Toussaint has him executed Followers begin to doubt him.
Similar trajectories Both were from bottom class Neither would have come to ultimate power without revolution. Military Generals renowned for their innovative tactics. Both assumed all the power for themselves. Toussaint most powerful Black person Napoleon crowned himself emperor
Napoleon wanted to use Haiti as a springboard for invading North America Toussaint signed commercial treaties with Britain and the U.S. (They were at war with French). To preserve the economy of the island, get food, and weapons Treaty required Toussaint to expel all French military ships
Toussaint acting as an independent leader of a independent country. Toussaint annexes Santo Domingo without consulting France. Worried about return of France, control of the harbors to prevent French use. Toussaint’s actions alienate Napoleon Toussaint sends envoys to explain moves, after the fact to Napoleon.
Troops land in February 1802 with 25,000 soldiers Lerclerc’s mission was to seize the colony by ruse, and win over the black generals when possible. Said they were their to preserve order in the colony Leclerc’s forces occupy the ports. Christophe Burns Cap Francais Dessalines burns St Marc Toussaint, Christophe and Dessalines take to the mountains to fight.
Toussaint and troops fight guerilla war Feb 23 Battle of La Ravine a Couleuvres Dessalines at Crete a Pierrot Christophe sent to negotiate with Leclerc to determine his position. Christophe betrays Toussaint. May- Leclerc offers Toussaint the right to retire, if he gives up fighting. Dessalines and other officers would keep their positions. Toussaint agrees. Dessalines does not.
June 7,1802- Toussaint called into a meeting with General Brunet. Trap. Toussaint Captured “In overthrowing me, you have cut down in San Domingo only the trunk of the tree of liberty. It will spring up again by the roots for they are numerous and deep “ Died April 3, 1803.
TOUSSAINT, the most unhappy of men! 1 Whether the whistling Rustic tend his plough Within thy hearing, or thy head be now Pillowed in some deep dungeon's earless den; - O miserable Chieftain! where and when Wilt thou find patience? Yet die not; do thou Wear rather in thy bonds a cheerful brow: Though fallen thyself, never to rise again, Live, and take comfort. Thou hast left behind Powers that will work for thee; air, earth, and skies; There's not a breathing of the common wind That will forget thee; thou hast great allies; Thy friends are exultations, agonies, And love, and man's unconquerable mind 1