Toussaint’s forces enter Santo Domingo in the island’s east

In September 1797, Toussaint Louverture became commander-in-chief of French forces in Saint-Domingue. His rise reflected military victories and the indispensability of Black leadership to the...

After years of costly occupation, British forces negotiated their withdrawal from Saint-Domingue with Toussaint Louverture. An agreement dated 31 August 1798 secured evacuation of the remaining...

On 17 June 1799, forces loyal to André Rigaud attacked Petit-Goâve, escalating a conflict that became known as the War of the South or War of Knives. The struggle pitted revolutionary leaders with...

On 29 July 1800, André Rigaud left Saint-Domingue for France after his forces lost the War of the South. The departure ended organized resistance to Toussaint’s military control in the south, but...

Toussaint Louverture arrived at Les Cayes on 1 August 1800, following the defeat and departure of Rigaud. This marked the extension of his authority across the colony’s southern region. The campaign...

A ten-member assembly convened at Port-au-Prince on 22 March 1801 to draft a constitution for Saint-Domingue. The initiative used the French Constitution of Year VIII, which allowed colonies to...

Toussaint Louverture promulgated the Constitution of Saint-Domingue on 8 July 1801. It declared that slavery was forever abolished, barred racial distinctions in principle, and made Toussaint...

In early February, a large French expedition under Charles Leclerc arrived to reassert French authority. Henri Christophe refused to surrender Cap-Français; revolutionary forces set much of the city...

French forces began a sustained assault on the fortified position at Crête-à-Pierrot, where Dessalines and revolutionary soldiers resisted for weeks. The defenders eventually broke out on 24 March...

After months of fighting and defections, Toussaint Louverture entered Cap-Français and accepted Leclerc’s authority in exchange for amnesty and guarantees, then retired to his estate. This was a...