The Haitian revolution was a major historical turnpoint for all social classes of san domingue. There were
many key factors which influenced the revolution, mainly the French revolution. Essentially san
domingue was a dormant volcano and the French revolution was the earthquake which would trigger it
to erupt. Class oppression also led to the powerful revolt. Class oppression was another key factor in the
uprising. However when classes were granted the liberty, fraternity and equality they strived for, there
were many consequences, both immediate and long term. In Haiti there was economic devastation and
political instability following the revolution. This in turn possessed a huge impact on the Caribbean;
other countries revolted and black inspiration was on the rise.
Following the overthrow of the monarchy in France and the liberation of the slaves, the noirs in san
domingue felt empowered to take a stance against the cruel upper classes who possessed a tight hold of
their freedom and rights. The social instability of Saint Domingue was also one of the leading factors in
the Haitian revolution, as it caused political unrest within the colony. Lower classes felt the oppression
and discrimination of upper classes. This unrest built up until the lower classes could not face it any
longer and, like a bubble, they burst, revolting.
After the revolution, when the classes were given the liberte egalite and fraternite they strived for,
there were many consequences. Devastation of the land because of conflict and neglect had
impoverished the “pearl of the Antilles,” Haiti. French dams and irrigation systems were ruined and
agricultural land was eroded. There was a total devastating loss of 8000 plantations. This in turn posed a
domino effect on the economy of Haiti as it never returned to the pre-1791 prosperity.
The Haitian revolution also had a drastic impact on the Caribbean. In Jamaica, for instance, the maroons
were inspired by slave revolts during the revolution and set out to initiate the maroon wars. In St.
Vincent and Fedon in Grenada, the Caribs were also inspired and led their revolt in 1795. Over time the
Haitian revolution would be the source of black inspiration as the successful outcome of the revolution
and the prowess of its black heroes such as Toussaint filled downtrodden slaves in the Caribbean with
the hope that they needed to fight for their freedom.
From the time of the first revolt to the last, there were key causes and consequences which provided a
positive impact on neighbouring islands. The lower classes fought for the rights that that as people
deserved, not bearing the oppression and discrimination. They were also inspired to pursue the
watchwords of the French revolution; fraternite, egalite, liberte. The uprising of blacks in Haiti possessed
a positive impact to other enslaved, encouraging them to stop living on their knees and rise up, to take
the position next to their feelow men because they were just as equal and to fight for their human
rights.