Toussaint L Ouverture: The Haitian Revolution

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Identify Toussaint L’Ouverture was born into slavery, but took pride in his noble West African heritage. He educated himself and became the leader of Haitian revolution, which broke out in 1791 when he was nearly 50 years old. His intelligence and military skills earned him leadership position and by 1798, Toussaint’s forces controlled most of Haiti and the slaves were freed. He sought to rebuild his home by compromising with French planters, improving agriculture, expanding trade, and forming a Haitian constitution. He even tried to alleviate the tensions between classes by opening his government to whites, mulattos, and Africans. When Napoleon invaded in 1802, Toussaint successfully fought with guerrilla warfare and yellow fever. However, he was betrayed by a French friend, captured, and died soon after. Napoleon drew out of Haiti due to losses from disease, and rival leaders fought for power until 1820, when Haiti became the first non slave republic in the Western Hemisphere Miguel Hidalgo presided over the poor rural parish of Dolores and urged his congregation to fight for independence. Poor mestizos and Native Americans and Mexicans rallied to him. Some creoles rallied at first, but they stopped after they realized his call for the end of slavery and better conditions for…show more content…
He was inspired by the French and American revolutions, striking when Napoleon started his occupation of Spain. In 1810, he led a revolt that led to a republic in Venezuela. He was overthrown by conservative forces, and civil raged and Bolívar faced exile a few times. Then, he allied with the llañeros (Venezuelan cowboys), lead an army through the harsh terrain of the Andes, and attacked Bogotá (capital of New Granada) in 1819. In 1821, Bolívar freed Caracas, Venezuela and was labelled “The Liberator.” He moved south to Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia to join forces with José de San
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