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- Toussaint learned of Africa from his father, who was born free there. He learned that he was more than a slave, that he was a human being that deserved dignity.
- Toussaint was born on May 20, 1743 in Cap-Haitien Haiti.
- Toussaint learned to read and write and read every book he could get his hands on. He particularly admired the writings of the French Enlightenment philosophers, who spoke of individual rights and equality.
- Toussaint talking to his father about Africa and freedom.
- the slave revolts were very successful early on but stalled out after organized resistance from the plantation owners and the French military. Toussaint joined the rebellion early on as a general but did not become the leader of the slave rebellion until 1798. He would come to be known as Toussaint L'Ouverture and brilliantly led his slave army.
- By 1803 Napoleon was ready to get Haiti off his back: he and Toussaint agreed to terms of peace. Napoleon agreed to recognize Haitian independence and Toussaint agreed to retire from public life.
- When he arrived, the French (at Napoleon's orders) betrayed the safe conduct and arrested him, putting him on a ship headed for France. Napoleon ordered that Toussaint be placed in a prison dungeon in the mountains, and murdered by means of cold, starvation, and neglect. Toussaint died in prison, but others carried on the fight for freedom.
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