Black Spartacus By Sudhir Hazareesingh

Episode

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

20201116

20201117 (R4)

Toussaint Louverture summed up the inhumanity of slavery in its systematic tendency to tear away the son from his mother, the brother from his sister, the father from his son'.

In this first episode, Sudhir Hazareesingh looks at what little is known of Toussaint's early life, his progress to coachman and his education by the Jesuits.

As an intelligent man who could read, it is likely he was key in shaping the strategy of the slave uprising in 1791, but he was also a man of mystery and there is very little documented material of his life. He spread misinformation about himself and had a complex extended family with possibly 16 children.

Toussaint was a tactical leader and, after the uprising, he took time to consolidate his military position and as a rebel leader declared, I was the first to favour a cause that I have always upheld ...what we have begun, I will finish'.

Author: Sudhir Hazareesingh

Reader: Adrian Lester

I was born a slave, but nature gave me the soul of a free man.' Toussaint Louverture

The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture, a slave who rose to lead the Haitian Revolution.

20201117

20201118 (R4)

Following the 1791 Saint Domingue uprising, Toussaint shows himself to be both a highly focussed military leader - who is not afraid either to discipline his troops or to take part in fierce battle - but also a man of great compassion in line with his Christian faith.

On 1 April 1796, the Republican French governor ɀtienne Laveaux organised a grand ceremony to mark Toussaint Louverture becoming his deputy. Toussaint was saluted as the saviour of legitimate authority', and for the first time publicly likened to Spartacus.

Author: Sudhir Hazareesingh

Reader: Adrian Lester

A good soldier should appear cold from the outside, methodical, loyal and fiery inside.

The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture, a slave who rose to lead the Haitian Revolution.

20201118

20201119 (R4)

It's 1798 and Napoleon sends his French Directory agent, Gabriel de Hedouville, to reduce Toussaint's power in the colony of Saint-Domingue.

Strategies are deployed by both men and, despite official affirmation on both sides, it is clear their relationship is cold. Toussaint draws on his powers of diplomacy and his contacts, appointing key supporters as surveyors, priests and gendarmes. The combination of his faith in God and his creative solutions to social problems make him a formidable match for Hedouville.

As Toussaint negotiates successfully with the British Government, Hedouville is humiliated and driven out of the colony. In the London Gazette, Toussaint is described as a negro born to vindicate the claims of his species, and to show that the character of man is independent of exterior colour'.

Author: Sudhir Hazareesingh

Reader: Adrian Lester

Toussaint consolidates his power in colonial Saint-Domingue and broadens his horizons.

The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture, a slave who rose to lead the Haitian Revolution.

20201119

20201120 (R4)

Toussaint's sweeping reforms of both public and private activity help to bring about huge rises in productivity and exports, but his authoritative leadership style inspires rebellions, led by his nephew Moyse.

Toussaint shows no mercy to the rebels and verbally attacks most groups in society, outlining their shortcomings. Will this combination of force and authoritarianism be sufficient to strengthen and protect the colony?

Author: Sudhir Hazareesingh

Reader: Adrian Lester

Toussaint focusses his energies on creating a new constitution for Saint-Domingue.

The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture, a slave who rose to lead the Haitian Revolution.

20201120

20201121 (R4)

Napoleon Bonaparte and Toussaint Louverture engage in a fierce battle of both wit and force over Saint-Domingue. After three months of fighting Toussaint seeks to negotiate a truce, but the French know he has to be removed.

Toussaint is arrested and embarks on his first sea voyage - one-way - to France. `By striking me you have cut the tree of black liberty in Saint- Domingue. But it will spring back up from its roots for they are many and deep.`

Author: Sudhir Hazareesingh

Reader: Adrian Lester

In 1801, Saint-Domingue faces an invasion threat from France and Toussaint must act fast.

The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture, a slave who rose to lead the Haitian Revolution.

Episodes

Episode	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	20201116	20201117 (R4)	Toussaint Louverture summed up the inhumanity of slavery in its systematic tendency to tear away the son from his mother, the brother from his sister, the father from his son'. In this first episode, Sudhir Hazareesingh looks at what little is known of Toussaint's early life, his progress to coachman and his education by the Jesuits. As an intelligent man who could read, it is likely he was key in shaping the strategy of the slave uprising in 1791, but he was also a man of mystery and there is very little documented material of his life. He spread misinformation about himself and had a complex extended family with possibly 16 children. Toussaint was a tactical leader and, after the uprising, he took time to consolidate his military position and as a rebel leader declared, I was the first to favour a cause that I have always upheld ...what we have begun, I will finish'. Author: Sudhir Hazareesingh Reader: Adrian Lester I was born a slave, but nature gave me the soul of a free man.' Toussaint Louverture The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture, a slave who rose to lead the Haitian Revolution.
02	20201117	20201118 (R4)	Following the 1791 Saint Domingue uprising, Toussaint shows himself to be both a highly focussed military leader - who is not afraid either to discipline his troops or to take part in fierce battle - but also a man of great compassion in line with his Christian faith. On 1 April 1796, the Republican French governor ɀtienne Laveaux organised a grand ceremony to mark Toussaint Louverture becoming his deputy. Toussaint was saluted as the saviour of legitimate authority', and for the first time publicly likened to Spartacus. Author: Sudhir Hazareesingh Reader: Adrian Lester A good soldier should appear cold from the outside, methodical, loyal and fiery inside. The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture, a slave who rose to lead the Haitian Revolution.
03	20201118	20201119 (R4)	It's 1798 and Napoleon sends his French Directory agent, Gabriel de Hedouville, to reduce Toussaint's power in the colony of Saint-Domingue. Strategies are deployed by both men and, despite official affirmation on both sides, it is clear their relationship is cold. Toussaint draws on his powers of diplomacy and his contacts, appointing key supporters as surveyors, priests and gendarmes. The combination of his faith in God and his creative solutions to social problems make him a formidable match for Hedouville. As Toussaint negotiates successfully with the British Government, Hedouville is humiliated and driven out of the colony. In the London Gazette, Toussaint is described as a negro born to vindicate the claims of his species, and to show that the character of man is independent of exterior colour'. Author: Sudhir Hazareesingh Reader: Adrian Lester Toussaint consolidates his power in colonial Saint-Domingue and broadens his horizons. The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture, a slave who rose to lead the Haitian Revolution.
04	20201119	20201120 (R4)	Toussaint's sweeping reforms of both public and private activity help to bring about huge rises in productivity and exports, but his authoritative leadership style inspires rebellions, led by his nephew Moyse. Toussaint shows no mercy to the rebels and verbally attacks most groups in society, outlining their shortcomings. Will this combination of force and authoritarianism be sufficient to strengthen and protect the colony? Author: Sudhir Hazareesingh Reader: Adrian Lester Toussaint focusses his energies on creating a new constitution for Saint-Domingue. The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture, a slave who rose to lead the Haitian Revolution.
05	20201120	20201121 (R4)	Napoleon Bonaparte and Toussaint Louverture engage in a fierce battle of both wit and force over Saint-Domingue. After three months of fighting Toussaint seeks to negotiate a truce, but the French know he has to be removed. Toussaint is arrested and embarks on his first sea voyage - one-way - to France. `By striking me you have cut the tree of black liberty in Saint- Domingue. But it will spring back up from its roots for they are many and deep.` Author: Sudhir Hazareesingh Reader: Adrian Lester In 1801, Saint-Domingue faces an invasion threat from France and Toussaint must act fast. The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture, a slave who rose to lead the Haitian Revolution.