Grace and Tolerance in History: Toussaint

The Haitian Revolution was the most radical and unlikely uprising in the modern world. In this episode, Dr. Roy Casagranda traces the rise of Toussaint Louverture and the extraordinary transformation of Saint-Domingue from the richest slave colony on earth to a revolutionary force that challenged Europe’s greatest empires. Dr. Roy explores the brutality of the slave system, the brilliance of Toussaint’s leadership, and the imperial betrayals that shaped Haiti’s future.

Takeaways:

• The Haitian Revolution emerged from one of the most brutal slave systems ever created, driven by European greed and racial hierarchy.
• The colony of Saint-Domingue became immensely profitable through the exploitation of enslaved Africans, creating rigid class divisions among whites, free Blacks, mixed-race populations, and enslaved people.
• Toussaint Louverture demonstrated extraordinary leadership defined by discipline, mercy, forgiveness, and long-term economic vision.
• Toussaint consistently protected even former oppressors, believing stability required reconciliation rather than vengeance.
• His decision to maintain plantations (without slavery) was an attempt to preserve economic viability and prevent imperial retaliation.
• Napoleon’s racism, insecurity, and desire to restore slavery led to catastrophic betrayal, invasion, and genocide.
• Haiti’s later struggles stem partly from France’s punitive actions, leadership fragmentation, and global isolation driven by fear of slave uprisings.
• The Haitian Revolution remains one of history’s most extraordinary acts of liberation and one of its most sabotaged.

References & Resources:

• The Haitian Declaration of Independence
• The Code Noir
• The French Revolution: The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
• Treaty of Ryswick

Beyond the podcast: 

• Want to watch this lecture? Check out the full video.
• Want to support the show? Buy Dr. Roy a coffee!

This lecture was originally recorded at the Museum of the Future for the series Lessons from the Past (2025).