The Haitian Revolution

Saint Domingue’s Racial Breakdown in the 18th Century

• 20,000-40,000 whites– 3.5% - 7%

• 30,000 free people of color– 5%– 15,000 mulattos

• 2.5%

• 500,000 slaves– 88%

What was the situation in Haitibefore 1791?

• France controlled the western part of the Island.• Near the end of the 18th century, 500,000

people, mainly of western African

origin, were enslaved by the French.• Colony of Saint Domingue is the most lucrative

colony in the world.• French plantation owners were watching the

events of the French Revolution.

What was Haitian Slavery Like?

• The conditions on the island were the worst in the world.

• The death rate of slaves was around 50%.• Most died of overwork in the sugar, coffee

and indigo plantations.• Torture of slaves who resisted was

common.• Most slaves had memories of freedom in

Africa.

Why did the Slaves Revolt in Haiti First?

• Because slaves outnumber whites 10 to 1,slaves were allowed to keep their Africancustoms.

• Vodou (Vodon) was widely practicedamong the slaves.

• This religion gave the slaves a form ofcultural expression and rallying point forprotest against their oppressors.

What is Vodou?

• Combined elements of Roman Catholicism

and tribal religions of western Africa,

particularly Benin.

• Worshiped a high god, Bon Dieu; ancestors or, more generally, the dead.

• Practiced in Haiti, Cuba, Trinidad, Brazil, and the southern United States, especially Louisiana

http://www.shunpiking.com/bhs2007/bhs-200-index.html

Boukman Dutty’s prayer

• “[I am Boukman Dutty, former slave and voodoo priest.] God who made the sun that shines on us from above, who makes the sea to rage and the thunder roll, this same great God from his hiding place on a cloud, hear me, all of you, is looking down upon us. He sees what the whites are doing. The God of the whites asks for crime; ours desires only blessings. But this God who is good directs you to vengeance! He will direct our arms, he will help us. Cast aside the image of the God of the whites who thirsts for our tears and pay heed to the voice of liberty speaking in our hearts….”

How did the Revolt Begin?

• The upper, middle, and Mulatto classeswere at odds with each other.

• Black slaves rebelled against their ownersin 1791 taking advantage of the situation.– Killed whites and destroyed plantations

• Boukman a Vodou priest led over one hundred thousand slaves against the vastly outnumbered and infinitely hated French

Toussaint L’Ouverture

What role did ToussaintL'Ouverture play?

• Former slave who wanted to ensure therevolution took hold.

– 50 year old carriage driver.• Began organizing slaves into military units.• Did not participate in the original uprising.• Organized the military to fight the French,

Spanish, and English.– All three countries wanted to control the island and ensure failure of slave revolt.

Letter from Toussaint L’Ouverture 1793

Brothers and friends. I am Toussaint L’Ouverture, myname is perhaps known to you. I have undertakenvengeance. I want Liberty and Equality to reign in SanDomingo. I work to bring them into existence. Uniteyourselves to us, brothers, and fight with us for thesame cause, etc.

Your very humble and very obedient servant.(signed) TOUSSAINT L’OUVERTURE,

General of the Armies of the King, for the Public Good.

How did L'Ouverture beat theFrench, Spanish, and English?

• Joined forces with the Spanish army against theFrench.

– rose to high rank within the Spanish army.• When France abolished slavery, he switched

sides.– Promoted to General in the French Army.

• Toussaint Louverture ruled the colony as theFrench governor-general.

• Forced the British troops to withdraw.– Defeated a mulatto group in the south in a bloody race war.

What happened to L'Ouverture?

• Liberated the entire island from slavery butstill demanded the production of sugar andcoffee.

– Wanted to rebuild the French/Haitian economy.

• Napoleon sought to return Saint Domingueto French control and reinstate slavery.

• Sent French force to recapture the island.– L’Ouverture is captured and imprisoned

in France.

How did Haiti gain itsindependence?

• Jean-Jacques Dessalines lead a revolt following the capture of L’Ouverture.

• Horrific war broke out where both sidesresorted to mass murder.

– Haitians killed all Europeans and French killed all blacks.

• Because France could not re-supply theirtroops and suffered fever in their camps, Haiti wins the war in November 1803.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Assignment: Haitian Declaration and Coat of Arms

• You are a non-white Saint Domingan (Haitian) in 1791. Type a letter to France declaring your country’s demands or independence. – Your letter must refer to conditions, and include at

least 3 rights discussed during the enlightenment or other revolutions studied in class.

– Keep in mind that you are trying to persuade French assemblymen, who are white and middle-class.

– Your letter must include the date (1791), a greeting, and a salutation.

– You must also create a coat of arms that symbolizes the New Saint-Domingue (it must be neat, colorful, include 5 symbols, with explanations on the back and a motto).

ExampleTo the National Assembly of France:

We the people of Saint-Domingue demand our independence from the tyranny of your rule. Long have you been on our soil and led our people in your ways. No longer. We declare our right to rule ourselves without influence from other nations or people. We know what is best for our people, and seek to follow our own ways. Our time together is at an end, no longer will we meekly comply with your governors, it is to your advantage to leave now. We vastly outnumber you and will cause you much damage. We declare our right to liberty, equality, religious freedom, and freedom from oppression. Our people cry out under the…

A humble servant of the people of LynnwoodMs. Russell