The American, French, and Haitian revolutions occurred within 20 years of each other during the late 18th and early 19th century. The American and French revolutions preceded the Haitian Revolution and greatly affected its results. Although the Haitian revolution shared a similar goal as the American Revolution, many of the resistance tactics and occurrences more closely resemble those of the French Revolution. It is likely true that the beginning of the Haitian revolution was heavily influenced and inspired by the events of the French Revolution that had occurred just 12 years earlier.
The American Revolution lasted from 1775 to 1783. It was caused by the heavy taxes and strict laws issued by the British Parliament, such as the Sugar Act, …show more content…
Many events leading up to the war for Haiti’s independence were much like the French Revolution: the rebellion of the lower class (slaves and former slaves), the tension between different social groups, and revolt strategies such as individually poisoning one’s oppressor, which showed resemblance to the Great Fear that had occurred in France. The later stages of the Haitian revolution also began to resemble the American revolution, as French troops attempted to gain a stronger hold on the colony, to which Dessalines’ army fought back and forced them to retreat. The result of the revolution is also more similar to the American revolution, seeing that both colonies gained independence and formed a new nation. Although the example of the American revolution may have provided the Haitians with the willpower and courage to fight back against the invading mainland, the events of the French Revolution probably played a more influential role in triggering the beginning of the rebellion in Haiti, because it gave the blacks in Saint-Domingue had a place to draw inspiration from, as well as good knowledge of how the French had been defeated before. Without this inspiration, the resistance may have never been successful in the first place, and the need for the revolution would have not become necessary. In this way, the Haitian Revolution serves as a good example of how seemingly unrelated events can affect and trigger one
The American Revolution lasted from 1775 to 1783. It was caused by the heavy taxes and strict laws issued by the British Parliament, such as the Sugar Act, …show more content…
Many events leading up to the war for Haiti’s independence were much like the French Revolution: the rebellion of the lower class (slaves and former slaves), the tension between different social groups, and revolt strategies such as individually poisoning one’s oppressor, which showed resemblance to the Great Fear that had occurred in France. The later stages of the Haitian revolution also began to resemble the American revolution, as French troops attempted to gain a stronger hold on the colony, to which Dessalines’ army fought back and forced them to retreat. The result of the revolution is also more similar to the American revolution, seeing that both colonies gained independence and formed a new nation. Although the example of the American revolution may have provided the Haitians with the willpower and courage to fight back against the invading mainland, the events of the French Revolution probably played a more influential role in triggering the beginning of the rebellion in Haiti, because it gave the blacks in Saint-Domingue had a place to draw inspiration from, as well as good knowledge of how the French had been defeated before. Without this inspiration, the resistance may have never been successful in the first place, and the need for the revolution would have not become necessary. In this way, the Haitian Revolution serves as a good example of how seemingly unrelated events can affect and trigger one