Toussaint L'Ouverture was the influential leader of the Haitian Revolution, which began in 1791. A former enslaved person, he became a prominent figure in the struggle for freedom from French colonial rule. L'Ouverture’s skilled leadership and military tactics were crucial in the fight against oppression, as he united various factions of enslaved and freed people to create a strong revolutionary movement. His vision for a Haitian republic included significant social reforms and the abolition of slavery, but he was eventually captured by French forces. His legacy remains significant in discussions of freedom, independence, and human rights.