Download Haitian Revolution JCC - Florida Model United Nations

Haitian Revolution JCC
Welcome esteemed delegates!
I am honored to be your crisis director for the 11th Florida Model United Nations
conference. My name is Amy Legros and I am a third year Microbiology major at the
University of Florida. I have been involved in Model United Nations since I was a junior
in high school. Although I am a science major, I participate in Model United Nations
because I believe it is a wonderful organization that can teach people of all
backgrounds and majors about cooperation, public speaking, history, and world
affairs, aspects that everyone should seek to learn.
As a Haitian-Canadian, the Haitian Revolution (also known as the Saint
Domingue revolution) is fascinating to me. It was the first successful slave revolt in the
world and made Haiti the first free black nation in the world. The Haitian revolution
inspired many other colonies in the West to revolt and its success was a large blow to
Napoleon’s plans in the West. However, the coverage that this topic receives in most
world history courses is slim and usually very watered down and one-dimensional.
Therefore, my goal is to make this committee as comprehensive and holistic as
possible. This JCC will not be a simple Haitians versus French issue.
It will be in your best interest to cooperate with other delegates in the
committee despite your differences, especially because running the island without
taking into account the different racial groups, religious groups, and surrounding
colonies will be close to impossible. As a way to begin your research, I highly
recommend watching “Haitian Revolutions: Crash Course World History #30” on
YouTube for a quick summary of the events from 1789-1804 then doing further
research from there.
Disclaimer: This committee will obviously include many topics about race.
Delegates are expected to follow the beliefs of their character even if this means
supporting controversial, racist beliefs. However, name-calling will not be tolerated
and all delegates are still expected to be as respectful and professional as possible.
Background
Many people know Haiti as one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere
but during the 1700s, when it was known as Saint Domingue, it was France’s most
valued colony. During the early 1700s, St. Domingue produced about 40% of the
world’s supply of sugar and 50% of the Indies’ coffee. And by 1763, Saint Domingue
was also producing a large amount of cotton and indigo (Brown, 2005, 26).1. Although
Saint Domingue was extremely wealthy, the wealth was mainly distributed between
the French government and the Europeans in the upper class. In contrast, slaves
usually did not live for more than 10 years once they stepped onto the island (Brown,
2005, 35).2 Because slaves were put into ships with no regards to country, tribe, or
language, many slaves on a plantation did not share a similar culture or language.
Therefore, a large uniting force between many African slaves was religion; most
notably, voodoo. Slaves were able to use voodoo as a way to communicate, pass on
secrets, and maintain some parts of their African culture. However, with the
introduction of Christianity, a large stigma has developed around voodoo.
In addition to harsh working conditions, talks of freedom and equality during the
age of Enlightenment in France largely drove the Haitian Revolution. The first major
law that acknowledged slaves as people was the Code Noir decree or the “Black Code”.
King Louis XIV passed the decree in 1685. The code outlined rules for maintaining a
slave’s basic rights including nourishment, housing, and clothing, but the decree was
largely ignored and unenforced because slaveowners felt that the government should
not be telling them what to do (Brown, 2005, 33).3 Furthermore, the American
Revolution in 1776 also inspired Saint Domingue slaves to revolt. Several slaves in
Saint Domingue were sent to Georgia to fight for the Americans, so many of them have
acquired fighting skills and have heard the arguments for the rights of all men.
The most notable cause of the Haitian Revolution, however, was the French
Revolution. Sociopolitical issues during the French Revolution about the rights of
man, the rights of the monarchy, the influence of religion, and the legality of slavery
all changed the atmosphere of France, and consequently, Saint Domingue. The French
felt so strongly about these issues that the Amis des Noirs was created in 1788, the
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was written in 1789, and the French
Revolution began shortly after the aforementioned document was released.
Furthermore, free people of color became active in politics in order to secure their
rights on the island and abolish slavery. Slaveowners in St. Domingue, in contrast,
saw France’s New Assembly and the free people of color as a threat to their property
interests and wanted to assert their right to control the social and political affairs on
the island. When the New Assembly passed a decree on March 1970 that gave
colonists in St. Domingue the right to set up assemblies on the colony, they did not
specify which men were allowed to do so, therefore, many free people of color assumed
that the decree extended to them because they were free men who owned property.
Slaveowners and the ‘grand blancs’ were quick to dismiss their endeavors. The
1
Brown, Gordon S. 2005. Toussaint’s Clause: The Founding Fathers and the Haitian Revolution. Univ. Press of
Mississippi, 26.
2
Brown, 2005, 35.
3
Brown, 2005, 33.
infighting on the colony thus first began between White colonists and free people of
color.
Amidst the fighting between the whites and the free people of color, black slaves
began to congregate and speak of revolting. On August 21, 1791 at night, Dutty
Boukman, an influential voodoo priest, lead a voodoo ceremony to prepare a group of
slaves for a large slave uprising in a forested site called Bois Caïman. The slave revolt
the next day on August 22, 1791, was successful.4 Other slave revolts led by leaders
all throughout the island were also successful. Unlike the disputes between the White
colonists and the free men of color, many slaves involved in the revolts did not have
precise political demands. The main purpose of the revolts was to liberate slaves from
oppression and awful working conditions set by both white colonists and free men of
color. Among the many generals and leaders on the island, Toussaint Louverture rose
to power and quickly became the island’s most respected, skilled general.
However, with the successful scheming tactics of a few French generals, several
Haitian generals joined the French side and helped capture Louverture. However, this
tactic was only temporary successful. Louverture was popular among the large
majority of the population so his kidnapping only incited the Haitian insurgents even
more. Then after Louverture’s kidnapping, France declared that they would reestablish
slavery on Saint Domingue, breaking their promise to the Haitian generals who agreed
to side with France. Now, France must keep its hold of Saint Domingue while also
securing its power in Europe.
Saint Domingue
The year is 1802 and Toussaint Louverture, the main leader of the revolution
and one of the most experienced generals on the island, has been kidnapped. Most of
the black and mulatto population, the American government and the British
government backed Louverture because of his leadership and overall fairness; but, his
absence now leaves a giant hole in the leadership of the revolution. This council has
been called to gather Toussaint’s best generals and powerful community leaders who
are best equipped to lead the island towards the right path. The right path is for the
council to choose and there are many different factors to consider such as alliances
with European countries, slave revolts in other colonies, the plantation system, any
many more, all while taking into account the economic aftermaths of having a large
scale revolution. However, figuring out military operations is only half the battle.
Infighting between generals, politicians, and racial groups have been consistent for the
past several years. Dealing with the French also means patching up internal conflicts.
Here are the main groups in Saint Domingue:
Whites/Europeans aka the grands blancs included officials, merchants, big
planters, professionals, artisans, and shopkeepers. The petits blancs included urban
laborers, soldiers, seamen, small traders, criminals, etc. The grand blancs have a large
role in keeping the status quo and “fiercely resisted assimilation of the free men of
4
“Haitian Revolution Begins.” 2015. Brown University Library. October 27.
http://library.brown.edu/haitihistory/11.html.
color” (Brown, 2005, 33).5 The petit blancs hated that mulattoes were allowed to be
educated and own land, and many of them hated that some mulattos went on to
become richer than them. Both the grand blancs and petit blancs will want
representation in the French government to govern Saint Domingue the way they
would like to run it, without French liberals interfering in the island’s slavery and
human rights issue.
Mulattos are respected, educated, and given many (but not all) opportunities.
Even with the passing of the Black Code of 1685, the grands blancs have not allowed
freemen of color to be in the same social class as them, no matter how rich or
educated. Mulattos are not allowed to wear the more prestigious European garments,
sit with whites, or get the same professional opportunities as Europeans. But many
found success as planters, traders, and service in the militia. A quarter of them own
slaves that they use for their small coffee farms. (Brown, 2005, 33-34).6
Slaves/Freedmen have no clear political demands during the revolution, they
simply want a better quality of life. After the Caiman ceremony and several revolts,
many freedmen began to live as subsistence farmers. (Brown, 2005, 34-35).7 They are
firmly defending their lands from French attacks and the grand blancs who are trying
to retake parts of the island. While many people have agreed to join the army, many
freedmen and former slaves are enjoying their independence and mostly want to be left
alone.
Women are not usually allowed to participate in politics but their role in guerilla
warfare against the French their ability to spy on the French have made them useful
in this revolution. Caretaking and nursing are their main contributions to the
revolution because of the sheer amount of fighting and infighting which occurs on the
island.
Voodoo priests are the main individuals who have helped black slaves organize
and revolt against their plantation owners. Voodoo is a unifying religion for the many
African slaves on the island therefore, voodoo priests have great power among the
laymen and use their magic to harm and coerce individuals to do as they say.
Note: You may see many names for the island when doing research. Usually,
Hispaniola refers to the entire island (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Saint
Domingue mostly refers to the western part of the island that is now Haiti, while Santo
Domingo refers to the eastern part of the island which is now the Dominican Republic.
Saint Domingue was officially called Haiti in 1804.
5
Brown, 2005, 33.
Brown, 2005, 33-34.
7
Brown, 2005, 34-35.
6
France
By 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte had overthrown the French Directory in the coup
of 18 Brumaire. He was named first consul of the three-membered Consulate in 1799,
then first consul for life in 1802. He has successfully reformed France’s banking
system, decreased the national debt, “centralized the government… and [established]
the Napoleonic Code” (“Napoleon Bonaparte” 2009).8 And by 1800, Napoleon had the
Austrian Netherlands, Rome, Switzerland, and northern Italy, constantly testing every
European country’s patience. It was bad enough that France no longer had a
monarchy, a fact that made many monarchs in Europe quite nervous, but most of
Europe could not fight Napoleon’s large and well-disciplined armies. Some made an
attempt to stifle France’s expeditions by joining the Second Coalition, an alliance
consisting of Britain, Austria, Portugal, Russia, the Ottoman Empire, and Naples.
However, the coalition began to fall apart when Austria signed the Treaty of Luneville.
Then, it completely fell apart when its strongest member, Britain, signed the Treaty of
Amiens in 1802 (Esdaile, 2007, 104-109).9
Now that fighting in Europe has ceased, Napoleon has called on all of you in
this council to take back Saint Domingue. Although peace has been restored, no one
knows how long this peace will last. The government has to reform its policies and
military operations to fit the agreement in the Treaty of Amiens, therefore, you all do
not have any time to waste on securing Saint Domingue. The French army is not in
optimum shape because the cavalries are “short of horses and many units badly
under-strength” (Esdaile, 2007, 149).10 The French navy is even worse prepared.
“Naval construction [is] still in the earliest of stages” (Esdaile, 2007, 149)11 and most of
the ships that the French have are scattered throughout the different colonies or
stationed in different places in Europe where they are being used to secure Napoleon’s
conquered lands. Although Britain has sent two representatives to this council, they
will not give any of their large ships or cavalries to France, but will help in any way
that they can, within reason.
This council must also stay in good terms with the United States, Britain, and
the colonies in the Caribbean. The anti-Jefferson Federalists in the United States are
extremely anti-French and will jump on any careless acts that you all might do in the
Caribbean. Britain has made peace with the French government, especially by sending
Thomas Maitland and Sir John Duckworth to help this council, however, Napoleon
must keep his word to curb European invasions. And lastly, maintaining all other
colonies and Louisiana will be important to keep French dominance alive in the
western hemisphere. Therefore, your actions must try to keep any other slave revolts
in the Caribbean to a minimum.
8
“Napoleon Bonaparte - Facts & Summary.” 2009. HISTORY.com. http://www.history.com/topics/napoleon.
Esdaile, Charles. 2007. Napoleon’s Wars: An International History. Penguin, 104-109.
10
Esdaile, 2007, 149.
11
Esdaile, 2007, 149.
9
Positions
The Saint Domingue Side
Dutty Boukman (aka Boukman Dutty) is one of the biggest revolutionary leaders in
Saint Domingue. In August 1791, he organized a voodoo ceremony at Bois Caïman
and led a major slave revolt against white plantation owners, killing hundreds of
Europeans on the island. His large following throughout the island and his lack of
allegiance to any government makes him a major threat.
Cecile Fatiman is a Mambo or voodoo high priestess who, along with Boukman, led a
voodoo ceremony that was one of the major sparks of the Haitian Revolution. She is
married to a wealthy man with a considerable amount of power but her power mainly
lies in her magic and the respect that laypeople have for her.
André Rigaud is a mixed-race general born to a wealthy French planter and slave
woman. He has many lands in Saint Domingue and a large following in the southern
region of the island. A well-known enemy of Toussaint, he represents the interests of
the gens de couleurs (mulattos) and big planters on the island. He believes that under
his rule, the colony will be able to oust the French.
Jean-Jacques Dessalines is a black general who was nicknamed “the butcher of
blacks” by Leclerc because he successfully killed many Haitian rebels after he
betrayed Toussaint and joined the French side. However, like many other generals, he
has rejoined the Saint Domingue side because the French went back on their word
and attempted to reinstate slavery in Saint Domingue.
Marie-Claire Heureuse Félicité is an educated nurse who is currently married to Pierre
Lunic, an influential religious leader. Through her social service and caretaking, she is
respected by both prosecuted Europeans and black revolutionaries because she has
taken care of both and stood up for both.
Julien Raimond is a Haitian mulatto born to a French colonist and a mixed-race
mother. He is a notable anti-slavery activist in France who is working with the Amis
des Noirs to ban slavery in Saint Domingue and grant free people of color land rights
and voting rights.
Edward Stevens is an American diplomat sent to Saint Domingue to represent
American interests regarding the island. The American government plans to stay as
neutral as possible but trade with Saint Domingue is lucrative and an independent
Saint Domingue means less attacks on their ships and less French interference.
Jeannot Bullet is a black revolutionary leader who grew into power directly after the
Bois Caïman ceremony. He is a powerful commander who leads with violence and fear
but is widely respected among former slaves because of his anti-European and antimulatto beliefs.
Jean-François Papillon is a former slave who has become an influential black
revolutionary leader but is much less violent than Jeannot. His alliance with Spain
gives him several connections and resources on the Spanish side of the island.
Henri Christophe is a former slave who rose to power because of his connections and
his political skills. He gained considerable military experience in the American
Revolutionary War and he hopes to use that experience to oust the French from the
island. If they are successful in taking over the island, he believes that he should
become the ruler of Saint Domingue, especially over the mulattos.
The French Side
Gabriel Marie Joseph, comte d'Hédouville is a French soldier and diplomat who has
strived to keep Saint Domingue under French control. His biggest accomplishment on
the island was inciting bad relations between Louverture, Rigaud, and several other
black and mulatto leaders. His good relationship with Rigaud will make him an asset
to the French side.
Jacques Brissot is a Girondins politician and abolitionist. He is the founder of the
Société des Amis des Noirs (Society of the Friends of the Blacks) which is gaining
much traction among the populace especially after the publishing of ‘The Declaration
of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.’ He believes compromise is the best solution
because an all-out war could cause France to lose the colony altogether.
Jean Marc is what Domingos refer to as a ‘grand blancs’ because he was a rich and
powerful plantation slave owner in Saint Domingue, up until the black insurgents of
the 1791 slave revolt invaded and destroyed his plantations. In joining this council, he
plans to suppress the black insurgents, and take his land back. (fictional character;
represents any real plantation owners who were ousted during the revolt)
Pierre Maunot is a ‘petit blancs’ which translates to ‘small white.’ He worked as a
small shop owner in the Saint Domingue capital but quickly fled after the slave revolt.
Although many mixed-race islanders are plantation owners and/or wealthy, he
believes that both mulattos and blacks should not have rights or own land on the
island. Many of his contacts have remained in Saint Domingue and thus he has many
informants throughout the island. (fictional character; represents any real petits
blancs who lived on the island)
Leger-Felicite Sonthonax is a French Jacobin activist. He is the French representative
of the island and is trusted by the majority of Haitians. His alliance with black
insurgents has destroyed his alliance with mulatto leaders but he remains the official
Civil Commissioner of the island and an abolitionist.
Thomas Maitland is a British army officer who attempted to take control of Saint
Domingue, but with the lack of money and resources for a complete conquest, agreed
to remove his troops from the island if the Saint Domingue leaders agreed to stay out
of Jamaica’s affairs. However, with news of several scuffles between the slaves and
slaveowners in Jamaica, Maitland is worried that Saint Domingue’s revolts are inciting
slaves in Jamaica and the other British colonies. Therefore, it is extremely important
for Britain to help suppress the rebellion in Saint Domingue. Since the Treaty of
Amiens has been signed and peace has been restored in Europe, Maitland has agreed
to join this council.
Sir John Duckworth is a British naval officer who, like Maitland, was also sent by
Britain as a sign of peace. He has been in the navy since 1759 and is familiar with the
Caribbean seas, especially with the island of Martinique. Therefore, his access to
islands near Haiti and his familiarity with the area will be useful.
Charles Victoire Emmanuel Leclerc was once an army volunteer and quickly rose
through the ranks to become a brigadier general. His leadership skills,
accomplishments, and his close relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte has made him
the perfect candidate to squash the Haitian insurgents.
Donatien-Marie-Joseph de Vimeur is a rich, French soldier. He easily rose into power
and gained much insight about military strategy with the help of his father, JeanBaptiste Donatien de Vimeur, who was a key figure in helping the American colonies
gain their independence. Because of the ideals of the American and French revolution,
Donatien sympathizes slightly with the Haitians.
Alexandre Pétion is an influential Haitian mulatto who will work for the French.
Although many mulattos, including Rigaud and Raimond, have returned to Saint
Domingue, Pétion has decided to stay on the French side. He does not believe that the
insurgents and his fellow generals will win because of the immense amount of
infighting. He has decided to wait until they take each other out and once stability is
reestablished on the island, become the ruler of Saint Domingue, under the French
crown.