1. Haitian Revolution

2. Haitian Revolution Background-1791-1804
Saint Domingue
Significant/dramatic challenges to European colonialism in “new” world
Only successful large slave revolt, 90% enslaved
Whites of colony wanted independence, not abolition of slavery
2 “Wars”: 1 for emancipation & 1 for independence
1794 slavery ended-central part of destruction of slavery in the Americas-crucial moment in history of democracy

3. Social Causes:
Grand Blancs
Gens de coleur
Petit Blancs
Slaves

4. The Players-From Top to Bottom
Grand Blancs-owned majority of property- also called
“absentee owners”

5. The Players-From Top to Bottom
Gens de coleur-free people of color- wanted equal rights as whites

6. The Players-From Top to Bottom
Petit Blancs-Little whites-those who didn’t own land; wanted to continue slavery. Resented
Gens de coleur
Often employed
as procureurs &
Managers &
Economes

7. The Players-From Top to Bottom
Drivers-the “soul of the plantation,” collaborated with managers, dealt out punishments but could also be community leaders among slaves. Wanted freedom!!!
took a leading role in organizing/
carrying out
1791 uprising
Creoles-person
born in the
Americas, had
established kinship
networks

8. The Players-From Top to Bottom
Slaves-10% of the volume of the entire Atlantic slave trade between 8-11 million
majority were
African-born in
18th C.
Wanted freedom!

9. The Players-From Top to Bottom
Maroons-those who escaped. Maintained open, armed conflict with plantation society. Gens de coleur were “used” to fight the maroons for stability. Wanted freedom and equality.
Led many rebellions
prior to 1791

10. Economy
Export driven
Agriculture-coffee and sugar-60% and 40% respectively
Massive slave population

11. The Impact of the French Revolution
: 1. Debt in France 2. Estates General 3. Creation of National Assembly 4. Stormed the Bastille 5. Declaration of Rights of Man (1789) 6. New Republic 7. Wars with Britain 8. Execution of King 9. Reign of Terror 10. Napoleon
Gens de coleur wanted equality-granted right to vote 1791, Grand Blancs angry and resisted ruling
Petit blancs also angry (likely more so)
Why did whites want to keep power?
Racism
White women’s jealousy
Educated gens de coleur looked down on because of color, because they couldn’t be looked down on for anything else
Whites competed with gens de coleur

12. The Impact of the French Revolution
Gens de coleur led several revolts for rights, Grand Blancs put revolts down-led to more dissatisfaction
Gens de coleur took up military service as laws became more restrictive--at same time colonies needed gens de coluer as protectors and allies
Do you see a contradiction?
Whites created assemblies w/o gens de coleur (or slaves)
August 1791-Uprising began. Exact cause unknown: Maroon voodoo priest told slaves to rebel? Gens de coleur joined and spread
By September, seized capitol, burned cities. France responded by granting amnesty to gens de coleur, not slaves- more slaves joined
By March-France sent 6000 soldiers

13. The Uprising (1791) and Touissant L’Ouverture
Touissant L’Ouverture served French Republic & demanded end to violence
Became central military/political leader
Spain and GB skirmished for the colony- France declared war on GB, Spain helped Haitians
Freedom for all who joined France’s army and then…
1794 abolition of slavery recognized!
Touissant restored French control but in charge of gov
Whites helped GB invade again-repelled by gens de coleur and Touissant
Power struggle between light and dark skinned leaders: Touissant and Andre Rigaud

14. Touissant L’Ouverture and Haiti
Toussaint recognized by new French government as Governor- General, 1801
But Napoleon changes everything!!
1802 Napoleon’s French troops sent to St. Domingue to re- establish French control & slavery. Long, embittered battles continued
Toussaint attempted negotiations-why?
with promise that slavery stays illegal, but sent to a trap & arrested then sent to Alps where he died in 1803

15. Haitian Independence Effects
By 1803, Napoleon evacuated French troops due to Toussaint’s generals taking war over…and Napoleon becoming desperate in Europe
January 1, 1804 Republic of Haiti proclaimed, most whites left but those who didn’t were massacred, “Haitian Massacre”
Jean-Jacques Dessalines crown himself Emperor,
gens de coleur in power while former slaves back to fields for work
Assassinated in 1806
Haitian society kept social classes and gens de coleur replaced whites as top group!
US military occupied Haiti