Toussaint L'OvertureFrancois Dominique Toussaint L'Overture was a former educated slave. He joined the slave revolt when he was forty-five years old. Toussaint L' Overture was the father of the Haitian Revolution. He overthrew the "French colonial power in Saint Domingue," (Conflict's Roots, p. 42) he presented Haiti with its first Constitution, and he had a great influence on Haiti's independence.Toussaint was a strong revolutionary. He defeated the army of the greatest conqueror of the 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte. His acquaintance of European military strategy, and his understanding of battle drills helped put the re ...view middle of the document...
While Saint Domingue was not formally an independent nation Toussaint began creating a new system of government. (Conflict's Roots, p.43-44) With this he presented Haiti with its first Constitution. He declared himself governor-general for life, and he also had the "authority to choose his successor." (Conflict's Roots, p. 44) Since all power was centralized, Toussaint had the capacity to compose and implement all laws, select all governor officials, command the armies and the island's finances. " He set up the fledging nation as a military dictatorship." (Conflict's Roots, p. 44) Not only did his government provide administrative organization in Haiti but also this made the Haitian people one-step closer to getting their independence.Toussaint struggled to free his people of the French rule for twelve years. He defeated the "local whites, French soldiers, a Spanish invasion, a British force of 60,000 men, and a identical size sent again by the French." The Great Haitian revolt was the only successful slave revolt in history. Even when he was captured the fight for independence still continued in Haiti only this time it was led by Toussaint's prodigy, Dessalines.In conclusion Toussaint was not only the father of the Haitian revolution but he was also a great leader that believed in equal rights and liberty. He overthrew the French colonial power, provided Haiti with its first constitution and he had a great influence in Haiti's independence even after his death.