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.

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.