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 Haiti
before 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 African
customs.
• Vodou (Vodon) was widely practiced
among the slaves.
• This religion gave the slaves a form of
cultural expression and rallying point for
protest 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
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 classes
were at odds with each other.
• Black slaves rebelled against their owners
in 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 Toussaint
L'Ouverture play?
• Former slave who wanted to ensure the
revolution 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, my
name is perhaps known to you. I have undertaken
vengeance. I want Liberty and Equality to reign in San
Domingo. I work to bring them into existence. Unite
yourselves to us, brothers, and fight with us for the
same 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 the
French, Spanish, and English?
• Joined forces with the Spanish army against the
French.
– 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 the
French 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 but
still demanded the production of sugar and
coffee.
– Wanted to rebuild the French/Haitian
economy.
• Napoleon sought to return Saint Domingue
to French control and reinstate slavery.
• Sent French force to recapture the island.
– L’Ouverture is captured and imprisoned in
France.
How did Haiti gain its
independence?
• Jean-Jacques Dessalines lead a revolt
following the capture of L’Ouverture.
• Horrific war broke out where both sides
resorted to mass murder.
– Haitians killed all Europeans and
French killed all blacks.
• Because France could not re-supply their
troops 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).
Example
To 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 Lynnwood
Ms. Russell