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Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution took place on the
Caribbean island of Saint Domingue
Saint Domingue, during this time period, was the
richest colony in the world and under French control
Saint Domingue produced 40% of France’s foreign
trade and supplied two fifths of the world’s sugar and
half of the world’s coffee
The island was centered around a complex and
rigid caste system comprising of whites, free
Africans, and slaves
The population of the island consisted of 25,000
whites and 500,000 Slaves and freed Africans
The country was divided into factions, the two
biggest were the Grand Blancs (plantation owners
of the fertile north part of the island) and the petit
blancs (lower class white workers)
The island of Saint Domingue is modern day
Haiti and the Dominican Republic
The starting point of the Haitian Revolution started
with the beginning of the enlightenment period
Over 20 slaves revolts had happened throughout
the Caribbean during this time
France, in 1789, declared the Declaration of Rights
of Man (proclaimed all men as free)
The French Revolution itself inspired many people in
the colonies to revolt and try to gain freedom
Rivalries between different sectors of the island
Pierre Domingue Toussaint Louverture
Leader of forces against Napoleon
and the French and expelled all
invading forces
Became the first governor of Haiti
Was well loved and respected by
both whites and Africans
Charles Leclerc
Napoleon’s brother in law
Sent to restore St. Domingue
to France and instill slavery
again
Led a troop of mulatto soldiers
who had previously been
defeated (40,000 men)
They were defeated and he
died of Yellow fever
Haiti became the first independent nonEuropean state to be cared out of the European
empire
Created a physiological blow to Europe by calling
themselves Haitians which means “black”
Guerilla warfare became common in the area
and the Europeans began resorting to killing
anyone of African decent in sight
Spawned unrest throughout the region
The lowest members of society (slaves) became free,
equal, independent citizens
The large plantations (latifundia) were replaced by
small scale, marginal self sufficient producers
Napoleon lost interest in the west and the Haitian
Revolution was one reason was he sold Louisiana to
the United States and many Haitians moved there
Haiti agreed to pay 65 million Francs in damages
giving them no means by which to become prosperous
Louisiana Purchase Territory