The Haitian Revolution A small island makes a big statement

Santo Domingo -- first settled by Spanish

Background French controlled Most profitable colony in the world because of sugar and coffee plantations worked by African slaves Population 90% African (free and slaves) -- free owned slaves

Seeds of Revolution Enlightenment ideas reach Haiti; people want equality; slaves want freedom Nat’l Assembly laws regarding equality do not apply to colonies Free blacks and slaves are fed up

The Revolution Begins Slave uprising is joined by free blacks and mulattoes Slaves seek vengeance -- burn plantations and kill whites (including women and children) France sends troops

Early 1790’s - Period of Chaos

Battle for the Island Slave s cross to Spanish side of the Island to regroup and Launch attack British send troops to help Spain put down the slave revolt on their half of the Island Slaves abandon Spain and re ally with the French to beat the British

End of Slavery? Slavery abolished in Haiti Slavery abolished in all French colonies Problem: plantation owners do not agree

Toussaint L’Ouverture Educated slave who joined revolt of 1791 Brilliant general -- defeats British forces in 1794 Demands total freedom for all slaves

Toussaint’s Successes Drove out British and Spanish invaders Gained admiration of French Controlled most of the island by 1797 Wrote constitution that gave equality and citizenship to all in Haiti

Napoleon Wants a French Empire  Napoleon wants Haiti, 1802 sends army  L’Ouverture now fights for independence - believes Napoleon supports slavery  US sends $ and materials to weaken France

L’Ouverture kidnapped and dies in French prison Dessalines helps defeat France -names Haiti independent in 1804 Independence at Last

Aftermath in Haiti Haiti finally becomes a republic in 1820 Problem: most of economy was based on cash crops -- how to support new country? Still a divide between previously free blacks and newly free slaves

Significance of the Revolution Second republic to be created by revolution First place to have a successful slave revolt First country in the West to be run by freed black slaves