As one of the most densely-populated areas of the Caribbean, the western part of the island of Hispaniola (Saint-Domingue), also had one of the highest ratio of slaves to freemen. The large, enslaved, black population on the Island was becoming aware of revolutions for freedom that were occurring around the world, especially, the French Revolution.
In continental France, documents such as “The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen,” contained the Slaves of Saint-Domingue were inspired by these bold words, and on August 21st of 1791, the thoughts and fears of revolt came to fruition.
The small white population was quickly and easily overcome by the violence.
Some owners were fortunate enough to be warned by their slaves of the impending attacks, but most were brutally, and fatally effected. Thousands of whites died, and plantations were pillaged; burned to the ground.
Who were the important players in the Revolution?
Toussaint L'Ouverture
Jean-Jacques Dessalines
Napoleon Bonaparte
Henri Christophe
Leger-Felicite Sonthonax
A brief rundown of their interactions:
In an attempt to preserve the French economical interest in the island, the French Assembly sent 6,000 soldiers onto the isle. The Spanish joined the side of the slaves, and then, the British arrived on the island.
Once that happened, some slaves decided to fight for the French, provided that all of the slaves would be granted their freedom. French Civil Commissioner (and abolitionist), Leger-Felicite Sonthonax declared that this would be the case if the French found victory in the battle for the possession of Saint-Domingue. Fore-runners in this group of slaves were Toussaint L'Ouverture and Henri Christophe. Like most, he was a former slave who had originally fought for the Spanish. Under his command, the British expeditionary forces were defeated, and by his hand, (as well as the hands of a few French generals) the slaves were freed on January 3rd of 1801.
L'Ouverture created the Saint-Domingue constitution, which- among other things- claimed that he would be governor for life. When Napoleon heard of this, he sent an army (led by Charles Leclerq). L'Ouverture was betrayed by his closest allies (namely Jean-Jacques Dessalines), and was captured. He was shipped to France, and died in prison. Unbeknownst to L'Ouverture's former allies, Napoleon was intent upon resorting slavery. When Dessalines found out, he deflected back to his original side. On the first day of 1804, -after a trying battle against the French colonial army- Dessalines declared Saint-Domingue's independence, renaming it Haiti.
Once that happened, some slaves decided to fight for the French, provided that all of the slaves would be granted their freedom. French Civil Commissioner (and abolitionist), Leger-Felicite Sonthonax declared that this would be the case if the French found victory in the battle for the possession of Saint-Domingue. Fore-runners in this group of slaves were Toussaint L'Ouverture and Henri Christophe. Like most, he was a former slave who had originally fought for the Spanish. Under his command, the British expeditionary forces were defeated, and by his hand, (as well as the hands of a few French generals) the slaves were freed on January 3rd of 1801.
L'Ouverture created the Saint-Domingue constitution, which- among other things- claimed that he would be governor for life. When Napoleon heard of this, he sent an army (led by Charles Leclerq). L'Ouverture was betrayed by his closest allies (namely Jean-Jacques Dessalines), and was captured. He was shipped to France, and died in prison. Unbeknownst to L'Ouverture's former allies, Napoleon was intent upon resorting slavery. When Dessalines found out, he deflected back to his original side. On the first day of 1804, -after a trying battle against the French colonial army- Dessalines declared Saint-Domingue's independence, renaming it Haiti.
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With the Haitian victory came the founding of the Republic of Haiti.
A few quick facts about Haiti:
* The Republic motto comes from the revolutionaries of the French Revolution: "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite"
*The Republic's Anthem is: "La Dessalinienne" (...click the video below to listen)
* The official languages are French and Haitian Creole
* The capital of Haiti is Port-au-Prince
With the conclusion of the Revolution, Dessalines was made "Emperor for Life." This proved to be a poor idea, and Haiti had to be reunified in the North by Henri Christophe. Christophe instituted a Corvee system, and when THAT did not entirely work (it highly resembles slavery), Haiti went through a series of government types and leaders. Perhaps the most notable leader for reuniting the Republic was Jean Pierre Boyer (President of Haiti from 1818 to 1843).
With the dissolution of the Sugar-based, plantation hierarchy, the economy suffered. Unfortunately, the island is still not financially sound. It is one of the poorest countries in the world today. This has been worsened by biological and environmental issues.
Sources:
http://www.jacobite.ca/documents/1697ryswick.htm Articles from the Treaty of Ryswick
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/335/ The Code Noir
Garrigus, John."Before Haiti: Race and Citizens in Saint-Domingue." [New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002].
http://www.hrcr.org/docs/frenchdec.html Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
Shaw, Jenny. "Haitian Revolution." Class Lecture, November 2.
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