Toussaint L'Ouverture

Toussaint L'Ouverture

LET'S BEGIN

WHO WAS HE ?

• Born a slave (1743) -> freed (1777) in Saint Domingue

• Died in prison (1802)
• A born leader and inspiration
• "In overthrowing me, you have cut down in Saint-Domingue only the trunk of the tree of liberty ; it will sprung again from the roots, for they are numerous and they are deep"

Location of St Domingue

'Although controversial, Toussaint L'Ouverture was more than just a revolutionnary general. Through his military skill, political strategy and his unwavering fight against slavery, he was a pure depiction of radicalism and conservatism in a revolutionnary climate'

Thesis statement

HIS MILITARY SKILLS

more than just fighting ; it is a mindset

How he became an important figure of history ?

• The army with enslaved people
• Diverse attacks & knowledge of the land
• Used conflicts at their advantage
• Balance of military & diplomacy
• His motivation : FREEDOM & SELF-SUSTAINING society

POLITICAL VIEWS

Commitment to Abolition & Freedom

Enlightenment &Ideas

Supported a plantation based economy

BUT everything has limits... RIGHT ???

CONTRADICTION??????????

ADMIRATION OF EUROPEAN MODELS ???????

TOO SELF-CENTERED ?????

Conclusion

" Every man of action has a strong dose of egoism, pride, hardnes, and cunning. But all those things will be regarded as high qualitiesif he can make them the means to achieve great ends."Giorgos Seferis

• 1900-1971
• Greek poet & Diplomat
• Nobel Prize winner
• Blending modernism with Greek history through his poetry
• Openly opposed the military dictatorship in Greece

Thank you for your attention !