Explain the Haitian revolution and Toussaint Louverture's part in it.

The Haitian
Revolution (1791€“1804) was important for several reasons. First, its success led to the
creation of the second independent country in the Western Hemisphere. Second, it was a
successful slave revolt. Finally, the uprising caused a social and economic revolution that
reverberated throughout the Americas.

In 1790, Haiti was an extremely
prosperous French colony that was divided into distinct racial and economic groups. Over 80% of
the population consisted of black slaves. Mulattoes, or mixed-race Haitians, comprised a second
group. The third main group consisted of wealthy whites. Of course, the enslaved people sought
freedom. The mulattoes desired the same status and privileges as rich whites. Affluent whites
nervously attempted to maintain the status quo. The presence of poor whites and French soldiers
contributed to the potential turbulence of the colony.

The French Revolution,
which began in 1789, helped touch off conflict in Haiti. The tumult of the French Revolution
prevented effective French governance of the colony and inspired those Haitians who sought
freedom or greater rights.

Toussaint LOuverture, a slave's son, had some
education and formidable military skills. He emerged as the most capable military commander
during the bloody chaos that was the Haitian Revolution. As many as six different
groupsincluding Haitian factions and foreign troopswere active during the war. By 1801, the
redoubtable Toussaint controlled the entire island. In 1802, Napoleon sent more than 20,000
troops to retake the island for France. Toussaint was lured into a trap, captured, and sent to
France. He was interrogated and died in France in 1803. Two of Toussaint's commanders won a
final victory over the French in 1804.