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The Haitian Revolution: 1791-1804

The Haitian Revolution: 1791-1804. Modern Map. Haiti Under Colonial Rule. Spain (1492 -1697). France (1697-1804). Slave Labor. As a Spanish colony, Haiti was built on the backs of slave labor – first by natives, then by African slaves. Situation by 1789.

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The Haitian Revolution: 1791-1804

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  1. The Haitian Revolution: 1791-1804

  2. Modern Map

  3. Haiti Under Colonial Rule • Spain (1492 -1697) • France (1697-1804)

  4. Slave Labor As a Spanish colony, Haiti was built on the backs of slave labor – first by natives, then by African slaves.

  5. Situation by 1789 • Once again, events in Europe would shape the history of America • The French Revolution began in 1789 & overthrown the monarchy by 1793. Haitians were inspired by the French Declaration of the Rights of Man, and hoped they too would gain freedom. Blacks were especially hopeful.

  6. The Declaration of the Rights of Man (August 27, 1789) • How would the Declaration of the Rights of Man influence a revolt in Haiti? “Article 1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may only be founded upon the general good.” “ The aim of all political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptibly rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression”

  7. Haiti on the Eve of Revolt • By 1789, Haiti was the most profitable colony of the French Empire • Produced 60% of the world’s coffee and 40% of the world’s sugar • Most profitable island in the Caribbean

  8. Profitable….but unequal • Whites (grand/petite blancs) = 40,000 • Free blacks (gens de couleur) = 28,000 • Black slaves = 425,000

  9. First Rumbles Vincent Oge, a gens de couleur, led a brief revolt after he was denied the right to vote by the colonial governor. Brutally executed in 1791. STOP!!!!!! Up to this point, the Haitian Revolution was between ______s and ______s

  10. In 1791, Haitian Slaves revolt in a violent uprising. But….not anymore! @#$%*&! http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/haitian-revolution.htm

  11. Complete Rebellion Signal to revolt was given by Dutty Boukman, a high voodoo priest, during a religious ceremony on 8/14.

  12. In late-August 1791, slaves controlled all of northern Haiti; 1792 – 1/3 of the island • Despite being well-armed, whites were overwhelmed by over 100,000 slaves • Slaves sought revenge, using rape, pillaging, torture, mutilation • Killed 4000 whites, destroyed 180 plantations • Despite success, whites still controlled major cities

  13. France Gets Worried • French Republic worried about losing “jewel of the empire” • Granted political & civil rights to gens de couleur in April 4 1792, sent 6000 troops to Haiti in September • The gran & petit blancs refused to obey the April 4th Law

  14. Sonthonax • French commissioner who landed in Haiti to enforce Law of April 4; whites refused his authority • Sonthonax recruited gens de c. to his cause; still outnumbered, he promised slaves their freedom if they helped defeat the blancs • Whites defeated and rebels take control of Cap Fracois; Sontho frees ALL slaves

  15. Léger-Félicité Sonthonax

  16. Slaves Suspicious • The slaves who had helped Sonthonax did not trust his emancipation decree • Whites were still fighting the French • Strange scenario led both the gran blancs and slaves to side with Britain & Spain against the French

  17. Chaotic, Fluid Situation • In various regions of the colony, black slaves rebelled against white colonists, mulattoes battled white levies, and black royalists opposed both whites and mulattoes. • Whites v. France, Whites v. Blacks, Mulattos v. Whites & Blacks, etc.

  18. France at War • France already at war with Britain & Spain • Not wanting to fight own slaves, France abolished slavery on Feb 4, 1794 • Had little effect on slaves switching sides, except for…..

  19. Toussaint Louverture “I was born a slave, but nature gave me the soul of a free man.” • Born a slave, but educated early in life • Freed around 1776 • Owned a small plantation with slaves • by 1791 • Devout Catholic • Had been fighting for the Spanish since • April 1793 • Switched sides in May 1794 • Extremely able general who turned “common” • slaves into effective fighting force

  20. Best friends now… • 1794: Sonthonax and Toussant had joined forces • 4000 troops followed Toussant • Eliminated Spanish threat in July 1795

  21. Toussaint’s Triumphs • Treaty of Basel: ended war between Spain & France • Blacks loyal to Spain continued against Toussaint, but defeated; their troops joined Toussaint • _______ still at war with France, and still had troops fighting in Haiti • Secured British withdrawal with secret treaty in 1798

  22. Challenges to Toussaint • Faced many rivals: Andre Rigaud, Sonthonax • Andre Rigaud: mulatto general who competed with Toussaint for power • Sonthonax: Ran against Toussaint for representative of Haiti • Forced both off the island by 1801, Toussaint controlled all of Haiti

  23. Napoleon Comes to Power • In 1799, Napoleon proclaimed the French colonies would be subject to “special laws” • If you were a black Haitian, why would you be nervous about Napoleon’s statement?

  24. Constitution of 1801 • Made Toussaint governor for life • Roman Catholic Church only religion allowed (no voodoo) • “All men are born, live and die free and French.” • Emphasized two things: Haiti was FRENCH and Haiti was FREE (not necessarily in that order)

  25. Leclerc Expedition • Brother-in-law of Napoleon Charles Leclerc sent to enforce French authority, commanded 20,000 • Landed in Dec 1801 • Toussaint ordered his generals to burn the cities, kill the whites, retreat into the mountains • Leclerc’s forces able to capture Toussaint’s sons, forced surrender • Toussaint allowed to go back to his plantation • French authority restored until yellow fever wiped out 15,000 French troops; Toussaint prepares to restore his power • Leclerc senses Toussaint’s move, arrests him, ships to France; dies in 1803

  26. Battle of Vertieries • Jean-Jacques Dessalines led successful campaign against the French after Toussaint arrested • Last hold-out was Vertieres • 27000 Haitian rebels overwhelmed 2000 French on Nov 18, 1803 • Dessalines declared Haiti an independent nation on January 1, 1804, and named himself Emperor of Haiti on Sept 22nd

  27. 1804 Massacre • Dessalines orders all remaining whites killed • Orders were to kill with “silent” weapons so the victims could not be warned and escape • Many blacks did not follow this order until Dess personally arrived to oversee massacres • Women & children killed; 3000-5000 total deaths

  28. Aftermath • 1st Independent Nation in L. America • 1st post-colonial black-led nation in the world • 1st successful slave rebellion • Economy in ruins • Class structure (though different, less strict) still in place

  29. Under what circumstances is it acceptable… • To act violently against soldiers • To attack or harm civilians • To break promises • To overthrow your government • To trick your enemy with lies

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