François-Dominique Toussaint Bréda was born around 1743. His father or grandfather may have been Gaou Guinou, a Prince of the Kingdom of Ardra in the African continent. Gaou Guinou was captured, perhaps during a civil war, and sold as a slave in the Caribbean. 1/10
Toussaint grew up in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, which was on the western part of the island of Hispaniola. Earlier dominated by the Spanish, Hispaniola's western part had become dominated by the French in the 17th century, who formally acquired it in 1697. 2/10
Initially a slave on a plantation, Toussaint became a free man in 1776, after moving up the ranks quickly with his work in the plantation. He also received a decent education for his stature, with the help of Bayon de Libertad, who managed the plantation where he worked. 3/10
Revolution in France in 1789 over liberté, égalité, fraternité had a cascading impact on Saint-Domingue. The slaves in the northern province rebelled for their freedom and quickly the rebellion spread across the colony. As a former slave, Toussaint was initially uncommitted. 4/10
But after he secured his family's safety, Toussaint joined the rebels. He proved to be a skilled military leader as he opened the way for the rebels. The French struggled to put on a strong show. Eventually, French Commissioner Sonthonax proclaimed emancipation of slaves. 5/10
In 1793, Toussaint added Louverture to his name. He allied with the Spanish, who controlled the remaining part of Hispaniola and was able to gain considerable ground in Saint-Domingue. But in 1794 when France officially freed slaves, Toussaint sided the French. 6/10
Soon, Toussaint became the Lieutenant Governor of the French colony. France had been at war with Spain and the British. Toussaint expelled the Spanish from Saint-Domingue, and kept the British in check at Saint-Marc. With peace returning, Toussaint focussed on the economy. 7/10
Toussaint faced opposition from André Rigaud, who held a strong position in the south. But by 1800, Rigaud was also defeated. The next year, he invaded his Spanish neighbours. Before long, he was in control of the entire island of Hispaniola. 8/10
Toussaint also prepared a Constitution for his province, as a colony of the French Empire. But the French Emperor had other ideas. The French Emperor send his brother-in-law, General Leclerc, to rein in his Governor General. 9/10
Leclerc induced Toussaint's supporters to switch sides, and captured him through deceit and exiled him to France. But Toussaint's supporters again switched sides, eventually gaining independence in 1804; recognized by France only in 1825 for 150 million francs paid by 1947. 10/10
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
Murad was born in 1404 to Mehmed. Mehmed was the son of Bayezid, the Ottoman Sultan who was captured by Timur in 1402. This led to a period of anarchy in the Sultanate. By 1413, Mehmed had managed to defeat his brothers and take over as Sultan of the entire Sultanate. 1/10
The Ottoman had Sultanate emerged in late 13th century after the Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm was defeated by the Mongols. Many beyliks rose up in the Anatolian peninsula, one among which was ruled by the ancestors of Bayezid, Mehmed and Murad. 2/10
Rastislav was born in early 9th century. His father may have been Wistrach and his uncle Mojmír, the Duke of Moravia. Little is known about Rastislav's youth, until 846 when Franks invaded Moravia and installed Rastislav as the Duke of Moravia. 1/10
Moravia emerged as a semi independent state in Central Europe not long after the Franks had defeated the Avars in late 8th century. Moravia was not the first power in the region though. The Slavic states of Samo and of Nitra had lasted briefly during various times as well. 2/10
Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck was born in 1815 to Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand von Bismarck and Wilhelmine Luise Mencken. Hailing from Schönhausen, the Bismarcks were a prominent noble family of the Kingdom of Prussia, with connections in Pomerania. 1/10
Prussia became a kingdom in 1701, but its major part was Brandenburg in the centuries old Holy Roman Empire. Invasion by the French in early 19th century led to the dissolution of this empire, with many of its regions joining Napoleon backed Confederation of the Rhine. 2/10
Camillo Benso was born in 1810 to Michele Benso, Marquis of Cavour, and Adélaïde Suzanne de Sellon. The Bensos were prominent nobility of Savoy. Camillo also had a distinguishing French connection thanks to his mother and his godmother Pauline, sister of Emperor Napoleon. 1/10
The early 18th century saw the French under Napoleon occupy Savoy. But the Bensos managed to see through it in a favourable manner eventually. Young Camilo's career prospects improved with his appointment as page to Carlo Alberto, Prince of Carignano in 1824. 2/10
Iaroslav Vladimirovich was born around 980 to Vladimir Sviatoslavich, Grand Prince of Kiev, and Rogned of Polotsk. Vladimir was initially supposed to rule only in Novgorod, but he had taken Kiev and Dereva from his brothers by 980. 1/10
Iaroslav was given an early charge of Rostov and, later, of Novgorod by 1010. But he sought Kiev and rebelled against his father, when he saw that one of his many brothers may be given Kiev. However, Vladimir died in 1015 and his domain got divided between his sons. 2/10
Birger Magnusson was born around 1210 to Magnus "Minnesköld" Bengtsson and Ingrid Ilva. Magnus was the grandson of the powerful Scandinavian noble, Folke, while Ingrid may have been a descendant of Sverker, King of Sweden in mid 12th century. 1/10
The kingdom of Sweden claimed land on the western and eastern coasts of the Baltic Sea in the 13th century. However, the crown itself was held between two dynasties since Sverker's death in 1156; by Sverker's family and that of Erik who became king after Sverker. 2/10