The Haitian Revolution – Flashcards

The impact of the American Revolution on Haiti was vast. The outcome of freedom over slavery undermined slavery on an ideological level. This inspired the slave revolt in Haiti. However, it also institutionalized slavery and made it a legitimate part of their constitution. This led to them having to justify why some were not free and equal

This was a very different kind of revolution. Resulted in the formation of a black independent Haiti in 1803. Inspired by the French Revolution and its new ideas about freedom

Most of these were unsuccessful and were put down brutally. There was never a successful slave revolt on mainland America however there were many runaways. There were however, mass runaways, revolts and rebellions in the Caribbean

These were mostly under French control who, despite being the last to enter slavery, had colonies which outstripped and overpopulated others

At the time was known as St. Dominique. The East side of the island was Spanish (St. Domingo) Mountain ranges split the colony into 3 provinces. Haiti was the most important French colony - it produced 40% of Europe's sugar and 60% of Europe's coffee. Haiti consumed more slaves than any other nation bar Brazil with 2/3 of the slaves in Haiti being African born

This was where the commercial capital of the country was located. It had major sailing routes and was an Atlantic city. This area was much more connected to France than the country's capital

This area was the most isolated part of Haiti. This was more connected to the other Caribbean ports rather than France. Located within it were the poorer areas of Haiti. Where the free coloured population lived - free blacks outnumbered free whites in this area

The official capital of Haiti was located here - Port-au-Prince Many sugar, indigo and coffee plantations. Landlords in this area preferred to be absentee landlords and rule from the North of France. This area contained mostly slaves

The size of the slave population encouraged the King of France to create this law to limit punishment and protect slaves. It allowed the white men there to marry and emancipate their mistresses. Half of the population of Haiti were free people of colour - some were educated and wealthy because they were the children of white men who took interest in them - saw themselves as peers of their white counterparts - they were not opposed to slavery

Only 1/3 of slaves survived the middle passage. For those who did life was brutal and discipline was maintained through violence and terror. There were approximately 300 slaves per plantation, outnumbering the much smaller population of whites. These slaves were divided into slave gangs, under the supervision of other slave 'drivers' - this developed a male slave elite who later led the revolution with the free people of colour - creating the slave elite bred the means of its own destruction. Women sometimes were in the plantation house or were slave mistresses - the mixed race children of these women were often set free which was much different to the US. In the 18th century, racial domination and exploitation had created social and political tension between 'whites' and 'blacks'

The revolution created a dynamic period of freedom and equality influenced ideas. It encouraged revolutionaries and drew whites and people of colour together. Ties across the colour line

These people were well respected and treated as full French citizens. Race more fluid in the upper classes. In the 18th century, colonists tried to undo the liberalization of the people of colour and restrict them. They therefore were subject to a number of laws that discriminated against them because of their African decent. They were prohibited from many trades and jobs and were unable to inherit their inheritance and were prohibited from wearing their hair in the same way as whites. In 1778 marriage between whites and people of colour banned. This angered those at the top who saw themselves as equal to whites

Poor whites had grievances that exploded during the early years of the revolution - they sided with the free people of colour Loss of Quebec meant that more French settlers moved to the Caribbean and the opportunities there shrunk and the new white immigrants didn't do well. This meant that the lack of opportunities for the poor whites and the treatment of the people of colour became a common cause. in addition, the wealthy white planters had grievances and resented the French trade laws - they believed it wrong that the rulers from home could overrule them as they were the ones who understood the local conditions best and therefore should be in charge. Slaves - Haiti had a small rebel tradition amongst slaves. Cultural, religious and friendship connections had developed between slaves of different plantations meaning that they were much more connected than other slave populations - making it easier for them during the revolution

in 1789 there were a series of slave revolts in the Caribbean sparked by the French and American Revolutions. Free men of colour attended the meetings in Paris - it was not just wealthy white males representing all French colonial interests. In France there was opposition to giving free people of colour citizenship - the free people of colour then encouraged the slaves to revolt which they did in 1791. They burnt thousands of plantations and killed hundreds of white planters. The slave armies were successful against the French troops - the armed slave revolt was a success. Because of this, France gave full citizenship to all free people. Initially, slave rebels were offered legal freedom to fight the Spanish and British, combine the French army with the slave rebel armies to fight them off - this offer of legal freedom did not impress the slaves They commissioned the abolishment of slavery in the territory under their command. In 1794, slavery was abolished all together. By 1799, slave rebel leader Toussaint was Haiti's undisputed leader

The revolution had a profound impact, it was the only anti colonial rebellion revolt that succeeded. Haiti became the 'only self made black republic in the world' The rebellion propelled French citizenship. As a direct result of the revolution, slavery was abolished in the French Empire. It also meant that men of African dissent were in the French parliament. There was a major reconfiguration of imperial power. Napoleon was forced to sell the French Louisiana which sowed the seeds for the destruction of slavery. After Haiti declared itself independent from France in 1804, few would trade with them which led to their sugar production being reduced - this left a vacuum for sugar production which Cuba filled. The violence exhibited in the revolution by black slaves led to a backlash against the abolitionist movement in Britain. The Haitian Revolution sparked off other slave revolts around the world - slaves looked to Haiti and were inspired by it. This era of slave revolutions can be seen as a turning point in the history of the slave system and the racial ideologies that supported slavery. New concepts of democracy, human rights and citizenship started to develop