Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution took place on the Caribbean island of Saint Domingue

Saint Domingue, during this time period, was the richest colony in the world and under French control

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 island was centered around a complex and rigid caste system comprising of whites, free Africans, and slaves

The population of the island consisted of 25,000 whites and 500,000 Slaves and freed Africans

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)

The island of Saint Domingue is modern day Haiti and the Dominican Republic

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)

The French Revolution itself inspired many people in the colonies to revolt and try to gain freedom

Rivalries between different sectors of the island

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

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

Louisiana Purchase Territory