Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.
Introduction
Both George Washington and Toussaint Louverture have made history for leading their people against dominion by unpopular powers. As commander of the Continental Army, George Washington led his men into attacking and defeating British armies during the American Revolutionary war of 1775 to 1783. Toussaint Louverture on the other hand led his fellow black slaves in revolting against white colonial rule in Haiti in 1797. He managed to expel the British and French armies and declared himself the governor for life. George Washington on the other hand was patient enough to wait for a while before he was named as the President of the US in 1789. These men have been compared and contrasted by many authors. Some have gone forward and named Toussaint Louverture as the George Washington of South America although the title is also used on Simon Bolivar. In this paper therefore, I seek to contrast and compare the two leaders on the basis of their social, political, and economic changes ideologies and how each seemed to understand revolution and their success in effecting a revolution.
Main body
Washingtons political leadership qualities were honed in war. He is said to have been a master of improvisation based from his trial and error policy in the war fields. He realized that to make the revolution worthwhile, he had to respect the wishes of the people and preserve the same for generations to come. As such, his policy was what we would call non-aligned between the French and the British as the two leading world powers by then, which was expressed firmly through the Proclamation of neutrality. Toussaint on the other hand was more dictatorial as a ruler. By simply declaring himself as a ruler for life is enough evidence for this assertion.
Toussaint was also very concerned about the welfare of the people. After expelling the foreign armies, he tried to amend relations with the US and Britain for commercial purposes. Washington on the other hand embarked on ensuring that there is a feasible tax system in the country. He was also responsible for the establishment of a national bank which gave rise to the Federal Reserve Bank that we know today. He sought to reduce the public debt that had been caused by huge government spending during the war. Though he was not directly responsible for economic polices, his support of the policies enacted by Alexander Hamilton, his secretary of Treasury worked for the government. Washington is also credited with strengthening the Executive arm of Government that oversaw the stability enjoyed by succeeding presidents. By doing this, he aimed at making sure that the country could survive any external pressures from the French and the British. On the other hand, Toussaint had affiliated himself with the British. Smart says that he signed a secret treaty with one General Thomas Maitland to allow Britain to use Haitis sea ports for trade.
The revolution in Haiti was prompted by the Declaration of the Rights of Man by Napoleon Bonaparte in France according to Smart. He says that opposition to slavery and the eventual freedom was the ultimate goal in a successful revolution. In the American case, the revolution was prompted by colonization. There was no external influence on the Revolution such as is the case with Haiti. Washington sought a revolution in the entire life of America both politically and economically. He sought to steer America away from external influences. According to Ellis, his farewell address upon retiring as president after refusing to run for a third term warned the nation against entering into permanent alliances with other nations. Contrarily, Toussaint sought alliances with other nation to ensure economic and political stability of Haiti. Smart says that he worked hard be friend the US and Britain which the author speculates was to secure help incase of a looming attack by France which indeed took place. By 1794, Toussaint had been an ally to France in protest against Britains and Spains decision to keep slaves.
Toussaint failed in seeing his dream of being a ruler for life cut short with the invasion and defeat by French armies. His achievements in the revolution were almost entirely nullified after he was captured. Washington on the other hand lived to see the fruits of the revolution. Hi idea of a revolution is a strong independent government structure free from external pressures was realized. He remains a symbol of American virtue (Ellis, 2004)
References
Ellis, J. His Excellency: George Washington, New Jersey: Alfred A. Knopf, 2004.
Smartt, M. Toussaint Louverture: A Biography New York: Pantheon Books, 2007.
Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.