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Governor Toussaint

Governor Toussaint. From Plantation To Power. 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. Running a government.

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Governor Toussaint

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  1. Governor Toussaint

  2. From Plantation To Power • 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

  3. Running a government • 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.

  4. Rebuilding 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.

  5. Other Ideas • 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?

  6. Descent in the Ranks • 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.

  7. 1st of the Blacks and 1st of the Whites • 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

  8. The problems begin…. • 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

  9. Toussaint vs. Napoleon. • 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.

  10. Leclerc and the French • 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.

  11. Fight for the right… • 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.

  12. Toussaint Betrayed • 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.

  13. Wordsworth poem TOUSSAINT, the most unhappy of men! 1Whether the whistling Rustic tend his ploughWithin thy hearing, or thy head be nowPillowed in some deep dungeon's earless den; -O miserable Chieftain! where and whenWilt thou find patience? Yet die not; do thouWear rather in thy bonds a cheerful brow:Though fallen thyself, never to rise again,Live, and take comfort. Thou hast left behindPowers that will work for thee; air, earth, and skies;There's not a breathing of the common windThat will forget thee; thou hast great allies;Thy friends are exultations, agonies,And love, and man's unconquerable mind

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