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Toussaint was born into slavery. His masters allowed him to learn how to read and write, so he read works by French philosophes and Catholic teachings. He also became skilled at using medicinal plants and riding horses. -
He was freed from slavery but continued working for his previous masters. This was the same year that the colonies gained independence. -
He married Suzanne Simone Baptiste. They had three children: Placide, Isaac, and Saint-Jean. -
Slaves in the colony of Saint-Domingue started killing whites, beginning the Haitian Revolution. At first, Toussaint didn't want to get involved, but as the revolution got closer to where he lived, he decided to help as an army soldier and doctor, but not before ensuring his family and former master were safe. -
He joined a group of rebels allied with Spain, who was fighting against France. Because of his skill and determination, he was quickly promoted and was given 600 soldiers to command. Around this time, he made his surname Louverture, from the French word for "opening."
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The French National Convention emancipated all slaves in French territories because Britain had sent troops to Haiti to stop the revolution, and they didn't want to be embarrassed. Because of this, Toussaint switched his alliance from Spain to France, and was now fighting black troops allied with Spain. He and his troops were able to restore Saint-Domingue to France. -
The Treaty of Basel was signed, ending the fights between France and Spain. Toussaint and his army contained the remaining British troops in Saint-Domingue, and they eventually drew away. -
Toussaint and his army, with the help of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, another Haitian ruler, defeated the mulatto army. The mulatto were free blacks, and many of them wanted to own slaves. Toussaint was now basically the ruler of Hispaniola, which is the island consisting of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. He made a constitution that confirmed the end of slavery, made him the governor for life, and gave himself near absolute power. As leader, he improved the economy of Hispaniola. -
He and his army took over Santo Domingo, the eastern half of Hispaniola, even though Napolean told him not to. There, he enforced French law, abolished slavery, and modernized the country. -
Napoleon sent General Charles Emanuel Leclerc, along with 20,000 French troops, to regain control of Santo Domingo. These men were hand-picked for their experience and Toussaint's army couldn't hold up long enough and was eventually defeated. Most people on the island, including some of Toussaint's generals, joined the French. -
French General Jean-Baptiste Brunet sent a letter to Toussaint, requesting to discuss a peace treaty. When Toussaint agreed and met up in his headquarters, he was arrested and sent to Fort-de-Joux, a prison in France. He is currently still there, under interrogation.