Haitian Revolution Pierre Domingue Toussaint Louverture

The “Haitian” Revolution took place - Caribbean island of Saint Domingue. Later called Haitian upon winning Haitian means black The island of Saint Domingue is modern day Haiti and the Dominican Republic Saint Domingue, during this time period, was the richest colony in the world and under French control Why so important to French: 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 population of the island consisted of 25,000 whites and 500,000 Slaves and freed Africans: Great disparity 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)

Social Classes The 3 Social Statuses In Haiti: In order of highest to lowest: whites, mulattos and free blacks in the same social status black slaves. This caused anger through the lower classes and the want for revolution. (similar to 3 rd Estate?)

Influence of the French Revolution On Haiti: The people of Haiti, after the French Revolution, saw new enlightenment ideas that it was possible to achieve liberty, equality, and fraternity. This encouraged their movement to be stronger and a belief that this was conceivable.

Mulattos: People who were a mix of white and black that felt that they should be treated equal to the whites since they were not given all their rights.

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) strong influence on Haiti The French Revolution itself inspired many people in the colonies to revolt and try to gain freedom Rivalries between different factions

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

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

Yellow Fever : An illness that swept through Napoleon’s army making them weakened and smaller in size. Out of the 25,000 men sent by Napoleon, 22,000 of them died from this virus. This also played a big point in Haiti and Britain winning because the French Army had such a disadvantage.

Britain’s effect in Haitian Revolution: Britain were strong rivals of France (French helped Americans to defeat the British) and came in to help Haiti with their revolution so they can help beat France so they won’t get to powerful. Britain was a crucial turning point in the 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

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

Toussaint Dies in Prison Leclerc sent troops to seize Toussaint Louverture and his family. He deported them to France on a warship, claiming that he suspected the former leader of plotting an uprising. Toussaint died in prison April 1803

Louisiana Purchase Territory