August 22, 1791 – The Haitian Slave Revolution Begins
With Toussaint L’Ouverture
The world’s most successful revolution involving slaves originating from Africa began on August 22, 1791 in the French colony of Saint -Dominque, now Haiti. Francois-Dominique Toussaint L’Ouverture is credited with leading the successful slave revolt that resulted in the creation of the country of Haiti. L’Ouverture was nicknamed “Napleon Noir” or the (Black Napoleon) because of his dynamic leadership skills and military ingenuity. He dropped his initial alliance with the Spainards from Santo Domingo for the French when France abolished slavery. While governing Saint -Dominque, L’Ouverture established a state with a disciplined military and employment pay structures where before there had been slave labor. He also created trades with the United States and Britain.
![By Historic and Public Figures Collection (New York Public Library Archives) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Toussaint L'Ouverture engraving](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Toussaint_L%27Ouverture_engraving.jpg/256px-Toussaint_L%27Ouverture_engraving.jpg)
Engraved early portrait of Toussaint L’Ouverture.