Political Attitudes and Path of Toussaint Louverture
Beliefs and Goals
Louverture was a Catholic, so he believed it was possible to establish justice and equality for all people (Fagg). At the same time, he was also pragmatic, believing that political goals could be achieved through diplomacy and conversation. Therefore, he also believed that as many people as possible should have an education, which is why he encouraged the development of schools and libraries (Fagg). Louverture’s main goal was to free the people of Haiti from colonial rule and slavery (UNESCO). He was also determined to preserve authentic Haitian culture and traditions.
The Enlightenment Influence
Louverture was heavily influenced by the Enlightenment views, which emphasized equality for all. The works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who described the social contract and popular sovereignty, had a great influence on the formation of the leader’s views (Fagg). This was the basis of Louverture’s commitment to establishing an equitable model of society in Haiti.
The Outcome of the Revolution
The revolutionary activity that Louverture developed in Haiti led to the country’s independence in 1804 (Fagg). This was an important moment in history as it was one of the first successful slave uprisings. In addition, the country’s independence led other states to begin to negotiate diplomatic relations with Haiti.
A Persuasive Speech from the Viewpoint of Toussaint Louverture
Haitians, I am writing to you today to tell you that we must be free and that we must stop tolerating the oppression of colonialism. The ideas of freedom, equality, and independence inspired me to fight for Haiti. Many of you may doubt my motives and think nothing will change for you after the revolution. However, this is not the case because I will provide our country with a decent system of checks and balances that will not allow anyone to usurp power. The government will be structured in such a way that every Haitian can influence the decisions he makes.
I believe in the fundamental values of freedom that can bring equality and democracy to our people. These concepts are closely intertwined and form a fellowship that can bring peace and new hope to all Haitians. Having freed ourselves from the shackles of our masters, we will restore equality and create a worthy democratic country. Our popular sovereignty will protect us from other countries’ attacks on our freedom and traditions.
In our development, we must remember that respecting human rights is a fundamental value of democracy. Every citizen of Haiti has the right to life, liberty, and private property, which our future generations will never forget. At the same time, power in the country cannot be based on promises or speeches, and therefore, we will create our constitution to regulate our lives by it.
I want to compare my political ideals and vision with the activities of Miguel Hidalgo, who led the Mexican War of Independence. We are both supporters of the ideas of the Enlightenment, which exalt equality, freedom, and independence for our people. However, our ideas about the independence of our countries differ significantly in some aspects. Hidalgo had a different idea of popular sovereignty because he did not believe that the government and the people should be formed. An honest, worthy government should always listen to its people, as it will be here in Haiti.
Works Cited
Fagg, John. “Toussaint Louverture.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., Web.
UNESCO. “Toussaint Louverture.” 2023. Web.