Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution lasted for approximately thirteen years, beginning in August of 1791 and coming to an end on January 1, 1804. The Haitian Revolution is primarily renowned not only because it was the first Latin American nation to gain independence, but also because upon liberation, Haiti became the first republic to be governed by people of African descent. Furthermore, the fact that a slave rebellion was of a significant influence in the creation of this revolutionary republic sets Haiti’s struggle for independence apart from other Latin American revolutions. However, while the slaves or African born bossales may have composed the majority of Haiti’s population, there were two other social/ethnic groups in Haiti’s caste system in the…

The Haitian Revolution as a Function of Independent Perspective In my final essay, I would like to examine the focal argument of Adom Getachew’s “Universalism After the Postcolonial Turn: Interpreting the Haitian Revolution” through the lens of CLR James’ revolutionary history The Black Jacobins. Getachew’s essay presents a challenging historiography, studying the way that we write history to centralize Europe and the ideologies that spill forth from it. Primarily, she urges spectators of…

A revolution is defined as: “the violent and abrupt overthrow of a sociopolitical regime that leads to change in the fundamental political and social institutions of a society.” At first glance, the Haitian Revolution appears to meet that criteria. The revolt lasted for thirteen brutal years, from 1791-1804, and it resulted in 62,000 dead Frenchmen and over 100,000 Haitians deaths. In the end, the Haitians reigned victorious and gained their independence. The sheer length, number of casualties,…

With that in mind as we explore the slave insurrections of the Nat Turner Virginia Raid 1831, Denmark Vessey revolt 1822, Malê revolt 1835, Antigua Conspiracy 1736, and Haitian Revolution 1791 we are able to see the role of African spirituality and influence of conditions. The Haitian Revolution 1791 was initially lead by Boukman Dutty a Voodoo Priest, Jean Franҫois, Cècile Fatiman Voodoo High Priestess or mamba and Georges Biassou. However the eventual leader of the revolution would be…

The Haitian Revolution was shaped by the abundant black population. At the time of the revolution there were 500,000 slaves, 30,000 affranchi (free people of color), 15,000 mulatto (mixed race people), and 15,000 blacks had purchased land and bought their freedom. This diverse group of people were the majority of residents in Haiti. Most of the black population was pro-independence because France was not giving them their rights. The French government was indecisive about giving slaves and…

The Haitian Revolution is commonly known as a slave revolt that took place in what was then the French colony of Saint-Domingue. It lasted from 1791 to 1804. It peaked with the elimination of slavery and the founding of the Republic of Haiti. The Haitian Revolution is broadly known as the only slave uprising that led to the founding of an American state free from slavery and ruled by non-whites and former captives. However, many have forgotten that women have played a huge role in forcibly…

For the slaves in Saint-Domingue, the most important result of the Haitian Revolution was becoming free citizens due to the slave uprising and the ideas and consequences of the French Revolution. Before the revolution took place, slaves had little to no rights. They were considered property, they had to work everyday, and their living conditions were horrible, causing the majority of them to die young. These inequalities fed a will to be free in the enslaved residents of Haiti. The majority of…

The impact in Brazil after the Haitian Revolution was big. The black brazilians were spied on because it was feared that they were going to revolt unexpectedly, just like the Haitians did. Brazilian people of power were concerned that the attention was fading off of them. Many other leaders and citizens chanted things like, “Long live the king of Haiti!” around the streets of Brazil. The impact on Cuba after the revolution was even bigger. Cuban citizens notified their highest figures about the…

Throughout all of history, as early as records show, only one slave revolt was successful; the Haitian Revolution. This rebellion was unique and complex, which is why it was so auspicious. The Haitian revolution was so successful because of the large ratio of slaves to white men, the experience slaves had with rebellions, the preoccupation France had with its homeland and, the slaves finally had allies to revolt with. Imagine being worked close to death every day in the blistering heat, waiting…

Staerkel Caribbean/Post Colonial 9/26/16 In the late 1700’s Haiti went through a revolution that changed the country and the world in a way unlike any other. Toussaint Louverture led a revolution that successfully ended slavery and made France, as well as many other countries question it. Haiti became the worlds first black republic and the aftermath of the revolution can still be seen today. “Egalite for All” brings the story of the revolution to life and gives greater insight to what really…