Haitian Revolution

Haitian Revolution (1794) The Haitian Revolution took place on the Caribbean island of Saint Domingue Saint Domingue, during this time period, was the richest colony in the world and under French control Saint Domingue produced 40% of France’s foreign trade and supplied two fifths of the world’s sugar and half of the world’s coffee The island was centered around a complex and rigid caste system comprising of whites, free Africans, and slaves

Background Continued The population of the island consisted of 25,000 whites and 500,000 Slaves and freed Africans The country was divided into factions, the two biggest were the Grand Blancs (plantation owners of the fertile north part of the island) and the petit blancs (lower class white workers) The island of Saint Domingue is modern day Haiti and the Dominican Republic

Slaves on Saint Domingue

Causes of the Haitian Revolution The starting point of the Haitian Revolution started with the beginning of the enlightenment period Over 20 slaves revolts had happened throughout the Caribbean during this time France, in 1789, declared the Declaration of Rights of Man (proclaimed all men as free) The French Revolution itself inspired many people in the colonies to revolt and try to gain freedom Rivalries between different sectors of the island

Major Players (Haitian Revolution) Pierre Domingue Toussaint Louverture Leader of forces against Napoleon and the French and expelled all invading forces Became the first governor of Haiti Was well loved and respected by both whites and Africans

Continued Charles Leclerc Napoleon’s brother in law Sent to restore St. Domingue to France and instill slavery again Led a troop of mulatto soldiers who had previously been defeated (40,000 men) They were defeated and he died of Yellow fever

Short Term Results of the Haitian Revolution Haiti became the first independent non-European state to be cared out of the European empire Created a physiological blow to Europe by calling themselves Haitians which means “black” Guerilla warfare became common in the area and the Europeans began resorting to killing anyone of African decent in sight Spawned unrest throughout the region

Long Term Results of the Haitian Revolution The lowest members of society (slaves) became free, equal, independent citizens The large plantations (latifundia) were replaced by small scale, marginal self sufficient producers Napoleon lost interest in the west and the Haitian Revolution was one reason was he sold Louisiana to the United States and many Haitians moved there Haiti agreed to pay 65 million Francs in damages giving them no means by which to become prosperous

Louisiana Purchase Territory