By: Dr. Aeron Delgadillo
Ph.D in wardrobe inspection
Ph.D in wardrobe inspection
The Haitian Revolution
Battle on San Domingo
Today marks the anniversary of the Haitian Revolution! A revolution which brought freedom to Haiti, and it’s citizens. How was Haiti before the revolution? Imagine a land, completely controlled by the French, with thousands of enslaved Africans. Whom would work in the harshest of conditions, for the bare necessities to live. The Haitian revolution brought freedom to all peoples, and drove out the plantation owners.
Who lead Haiti?
L’Ouverture Toussaint
The Haitian Revolution was a slave rebellion, lead by L’Ouverture Toussaint. Toussaint was an gifted slave, given the ability to read books by their overseer, Toussaint became a smart, and wise person, unlike most slaves. Toussaint lead the slaves, against Napoleon’s French Forces in a battle for freedom for all men regardless of race or color.
What happened?
Napoleon Bonaparte
The main revolt in the Haitian Revolution took place between 1796 and 1801. The Haitians were lead by two slaves, Toussaint L’Ouverture, as previously said, and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, another former slave. The French side was primarily the French Republic, Poland also aided the French, and mostly lead by Napoleon.
When did the Haitian Revolution occur?
Haitian Slaves
The Haitian revolution did not exactly start in 1796, there were several slave revolts before that. If you were to give it a much larger time frame, it would be August 22, 1791 to January 1st 1804. The Haitians controlled much of the area by 1801, however the war did not officially end until January 1st 1804, after Toussaint’s death.
Toussaint was captured, and thrown into a French prison in 1803, where he pretty much rotted and died.
Toussaint was captured, and thrown into a French prison in 1803, where he pretty much rotted and died.
Where?
A battle in the Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution started in the French side of Haiti in the colony of Saint Domingue However, by the end of the war, the once enslaved peoples of Haiti owned the entirety of Haiti, including the Spanish owned half of Haiti. Haiti has now become the Independent Republic of Haiti, and no longer ran by the French, or Spanish.
Quotes from Toussaint Louverture
"I was born a slave, but nature gave me a soul of a free man…."
This shows Toussaint's belief towards all peoples being free, and equal.
"In overthrowing me, you have done no more than cut down the trunk of the tree of the black liberty in St-Domingue-it will spring back form the roots, for they are numerous and deep."
By this, Toussaint Louverture meant that overthrowing him wouldn't change a thing. The people of Haiti would even go through another revolution to bring fourth their freedom, and equality. Our of the tragedy of losing one of their greatest leaders, a new one shall be born.
This shows Toussaint's belief towards all peoples being free, and equal.
"In overthrowing me, you have done no more than cut down the trunk of the tree of the black liberty in St-Domingue-it will spring back form the roots, for they are numerous and deep."
By this, Toussaint Louverture meant that overthrowing him wouldn't change a thing. The people of Haiti would even go through another revolution to bring fourth their freedom, and equality. Our of the tragedy of losing one of their greatest leaders, a new one shall be born.
Review Questions
Who lead the Haitian revolution?
Which forces aided the French?
Which forces aided the French?