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Haitian

The Haitian Revolution from 1791-1804 resulted in the elimination of slavery and establishment of Haiti as the first black republic. It began as an uprising of slaves in 1791 against brutal conditions on French plantations in Saint-Domingue (Haiti) and grew into a revolution influenced by the ideals of the French Revolution. The revolution was led by figures like Toussaint Louverture, who organized the rebel forces and eventually established himself as the ruler of the island, gaining autonomy from France despite their continued political appointments to the island. The revolution established Haiti as a free and independent nation.

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52 views

Haitian

The Haitian Revolution from 1791-1804 resulted in the elimination of slavery and establishment of Haiti as the first black republic. It began as an uprising of slaves in 1791 against brutal conditions on French plantations in Saint-Domingue (Haiti) and grew into a revolution influenced by the ideals of the French Revolution. The revolution was led by figures like Toussaint Louverture, who organized the rebel forces and eventually established himself as the ruler of the island, gaining autonomy from France despite their continued political appointments to the island. The revolution established Haiti as a free and independent nation.

Uploaded by

SeleneGoberdhan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Haitian Revolution represents the most thorough case study of revolutionary change

anywhere in the history of the modern world.

The Haitian Revolution (17911804) was a period of brutal conflict in the French colony of St
Domingue, leading to the elimination of slavery and the establishment of Haiti as the first
republic ruled by people of African ancestry. Although hundreds of rebellions occurred in the
New World during the centuries of slavery, only the St. Domingue Slave Revolt, which began in
1791, was successful in achieving permanent independence under a new nation. The Haitian
Revolution is regarded as a defining moment in the history of Africans in the New World

Domingue was characterized by discontent among the main social groups as each faced
internal as well as external conflicts. The whites(grand blancs and petit blancs), the plantation
owners wanted to rule themselves and the rest of the government. The mulattoes wanted to
be equal to the whites and the slaves wanted freedom.

Causes

France, the majority of the Estates General, an advisory body to the King, constituted itself as
the National Assembly, made radical changes in French laws, and on 26 August 1789,
published the Declaration of the Rights of Man, declaring all men free and equal. The French
Revolution shaped the course of the conflict in Saint-Domingue and was at first widely
welcomed in the island. So many were the twists and turns in the leadership in France, and so
complex were events in Saint-Domingue, that various classes and parties changed their
alignments many times

The African population on the island began to hear of the agitation for independence by the
rich European planters, the grands blancs, who had resented France's limitations on the
island's foreign trade. The Africans mostly allied with the royalists and the British, as they
understood that if St. Domingues independence were to be led by white slave masters, it
would probably mean even harsher treatment and increased injustice for the African
population, The plantation owners would be free to operate slavery as they pleased without
minimal accountability to their French peers

Bands of runaway slaves, known as maroons, entrenched themselves in bastions in the


colony's mountains and forests, from which they harried white-owned plantations both to
secure provisions and weaponry and to avenge themselves against the inhabitants. As their
numbers grew, these bands, sometimes consisting of thousands of people, began to carry out
hit-and-run attacks throughout the colony. This guerrilla warfare, however, lacked
centralized organization and leadership. The most famous maroon leader was Franois
Macandal, whose six-year rebellion (1751-57) left an estimated 6,000 dead. Reportedly a
voodoo sorcerer, Macandal drew from African traditions and religions to motivate his
followers. The French burned him at the stake in Cap Franais in 1758. Popular accounts of
his execution that say the stake snapped during his execution have enhanced his legendary
stature.

Organisation
A slave rebellion of 1791 finally toppled the colony. Launched in August of that year, the

revolt represented the culmination of a protracted conspiracy among black leaders. According
to accounts of the rebellion that have been told through the years, Franois-Dominique
Toussaint Louverture helped plot the uprising, although this claim has never been
substantiated. Among the rebellion's leaders were Boukman, a maroon and voodoo houngan
(priest); Georges Biassou, who later made Toussaint his aide; Jean-Franois, who subsequently
commanded forces, along with Biassou and Toussaint, under the Spanish flag; and Jeannot,
the bloodthirstiest of them all. These leaders sealed their compact with a voodoo ceremony
conducted by Boukman in the Bois Cayman (Alligator Woods) in early August 1791. On
August 22, a little more than a week after the ceremony, the uprising of their black followers
began.
Toussaint L'Ouverture was the leader of the Haitian Revolution in the late eighteenth century,

in which slaves rebelled against their masters and established the first free black republic.
This collection of his writings and speeches demonstrates his profound contribution to the
struggle for equality.
Although Toussaint was now effectively the political and military leader of the island, the

French government continued to appoint representatives with whom he had varying


relationships. Governor Laveaux left Saint-Domingue in 1796. He was succeeded by LegerFelicite`Sonthonax , an extremist French commissioner who had served on the island before.
He allowed Toussaint Louverture to effectively rule and promoted him to General . In May
1797 Sonthonax named Toussaint Louverture commander-in-chief of the French republican
army in Saint-Domingue. Toussaint was repelled by this radical's proposals to exterminate all
Europeans. He found Sonthonax's atheism, coarseness, and immorality offensive. After some
maneuvering, Toussaint Louverture forced Sonthonax out in 1797.

Louverture soon rid himself of another nominal French superior, Gabriel He`douvill , who
arrived in 1798 as representative of the Directoire government of France. Aware that France
had no chance of restoring colonialism as long as the war with Great Britain continued,
Hdouville tried to pit Toussaint Louverture against the leader of colour,Andre` Riguad. In
1795, inspired by Toussaints military successes, Rigaud had renewed his attacks from the
stronghold of free people of color in Port au Prince. Controlling a force of officers of colored
and black troops, he now ruled a semi-independent state in the South, and wanted to retain
portions of the Western Department which he had taken over.Toussaint Louverture,
however, figured out Hdouvilles purpose and forced him to flee. Hdouville was succeeded
by Philippe Roume, who deferred to the black governor.

From 1795 onwards, Toussaint was widely renowned. He was revered by the blacks and
appreciated by most whites and people of color for helping restore the economy of Saint-

Domingue. He invited many migr planters to return, as he knew their management and
technical expertise was needed to restore the economy and generate revenues. He used
military discipline to force former slaves to work as laborers to get the plantations running
again. He believed that people were naturally flawed and that discipline was needed to
prevent idleness. He no longer permitted the laborers to be whipped. They were legally free
and equal, and they shared the profits of the restored plantations. Racial tensions eased
because Toussaint preached reconciliation and believed that for the blacks, a majority of
whom were native Africans, there were lessons to be learned from whites and people of
color, among whom many men had been educated in France and often trained in the military

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