Thesis Statement:
Numerous revolutions arise as a result of
external influences and internal conflicts.
Inspired by previous independent
movements in America and France as
well as the dissatisfaction of French rule,
St. Domingue became the second
independent nation in the Americas.
• Haiti was
dominated by a
small class of
European whites
who had
superiority over •
all other groups,
including slaves
and free blacks.
• The poor
treatment of the
lower classes and
the limitation of
their rights by the
white leaders
lead to several
rebellions in
Haiti, the Haitian
Revolution being
the most
successful.
Lower classes
became inspired
by the French
Revolution and
took the
opportunity of
the turmoil in
France to stage a
rebellion as well.
Role of Foreign Interventions
• France
- controlled St. Domingue or as known today, Haiti
• Produced 40% of France’s foreign trade
• Supplied two-fifths of the world’s sugar and half of the world’s
coffee
-French Revolution in 1789
• Declaration of Rights of Men (proclaimed all men as free)
• Desire for independences:
• France imposed steep tariffs on imported goods and forbidden the
colony to trade with other foreign nations
• Wealthy whites (grand blancs) wanted to create trade regulations
that would further their own wealth and power
• Wealthy men of color (mulattos) wanted the rights to votes
Role of Foreign Interventions:
-Great Britain
• Grand blancs granted British rule over St. Domingue
• France declared war on Great Britain and its ally, Spain
• Gained control over major seaports
• Increased tension between the British and the mulattos and gens de
coleur (slaves)
• Negotiated peace with Toussiant L’Ouverture in 1798 in exchange for
trading rights and not to send revolutionary expeditions to British
possessions
-United States
• Agreed to crease trade in arms but continued trade for legal goods
• Southern colonies aided with the French in fear
• slave rebellion
The most famous leader of the Haitian Revolution was Toussaint
L’Ouverture. He began his military career as a leader of the
French colony Saint Domingue . His military experience and
ability to make good judgments had worked in Haiti’s favor.
Under his leadership, he was able to lead Haiti to
independence. L’Ouverture had completely transformed Haiti by
turning a once slave dominated society into a free and self
governing society. In 1801, L’Ouverture created an autonomist
constitution for Haiti. In addition, he had declared himself
governor for life. Despite his desire to be governor, he was
forced to resign in 1802. The Haitian Revolution was then
continued by Jean- Jaques Dessalines (L’Ouverture’s lieutenant)
who declared independence in 1804. . Being that Haiti was so
successful in their fight for independence, the revolution had
invigorated anti-slavery ideas all throughout the New World.
Due to L’Ouvertures dedication to Haiti, the revolution is
regarded as a defining moment for Africans in the New World.
Economy:
Went bankrupt-disturbance of
economic system plus being barred
from trade with other countries made
Haiti extremely poor
Focused on circulation of goods in the
states, not exportation
Middle class didn’t exist-large gap
between rich and poor
Went from plantation system to system
based on small-scale producers
Socially:
Slaves were freed, and actually took over
control of the island
Roles flipped: whites were persecuted,
were almost unable to own land or
participate in government-many left for
Canada or the US
Other slave nations in the area were
persuaded to attempt a revolt themselves
Mulattos became the elite, because many
of them received education pre-revolt from
parents
Politically:
Achieved autonomy (from France)
Became a country of poor ruled by a
king and the wealthy elite
First free black nation in the world
Became the second fully
independent state in the Western
Hemisphere
Video Clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b69l
S3aP1a4
Choose one social class in Haiti that
existed during the time of the Haitian
Revolution in 1791-1803 and compare
their social status in Haiti before and
after the war.
-wealthy landowners
-slaves
-free Africans
-mulattoes
What was a major cause of the Haitian Revolution?
A. The economic distress in the colony lead to civil
unrest.
B. The start of a revolution in France encouraged
increased action by lower classes against their
leaders.
C. The government of the colony began to infringe
upon the rights of the people which caused
dissention.
D. Principles used in the American Revolution
inspired the wish among the people of Haiti for
freedom from their mother country of France