Early Stages of the Haitian Revolution

Social Unrest in Haiti on the Eve of Revolution

-Many white planters wanted independence from Revolutionary France (1789-1799).

Social Unrest in Haiti on the Eve of Revolution

-Free persons of color, attracted to the concept of equality embedded in the Declaration of the Rights of Man, were struggling for full rights of citizenship.

Social Unrest in Haiti on the Eve of Revolution

-Slaves, hearing the talk of human equality, and oppressed by inhuman conditions, revolted to improve their lot.

The Revolution Begins (1791) -In August of 1791,

Dutty Boukman, a former slave and voodoo priest,

organized a slave rebellion, which is often considered the starting point of the Haitian

Revolution.

Painting of voodoo ceremony held at Bois Caiman.

The Revolution Begins (1791)

-Revolutionaries burned down fields, sugar processing facilities, and homes.

-The uprising spread quickly and enslaved individuals from other plantations joined the revolt.

Reaction of White Colonists -Many whites panicked and tried to get

help from other places-Santo Domingo,

Cuba, the US-but no one would help them.

-Terrified of another attack, whites began to try and uncover new plots and conspiracies.

-Whites killed hundreds of slaves in an attempt to keep the revolt from

spreading.

Meanwhile...across the ocean...

Change Brings Strife in France

In 1792, France declared itself a republic and abolished the monarchy. A year later, Louis XVI is tried and executed.

Change Brings Strife in France

Leaders in Austria, Prussia, Spain & Britain mobilize their armies to contain the Revolution, which they perceive as a threat to their power & order & stability in their countries.

Spain/Britian see this as an opportunity to try and get their hands on the colony and invade SD.

Rise of Louverture

-Both Britain & Spain tried to get help for their side, agreeing to given land, etc., to rebel leaders that came over to their side.

-Toussaint Louverture, a rebel leader who would later become one of the key figures of the revolution, took advantage of this arrangement and helped the Spanish.

Louverture Helps the French?

In 1794, the French government abolished slavery in France and all French colonies.

Shortly thereafter, Louverture abandoned the Spanish and joined the French.

By 1795, in the wake of several losses in Europe and the Caribbean, Spain signed a treaty with France and agreed to leave the island.

In 1797, Louverture, with the assistance of another leader, Andre Rigaud, ousted the English from the island.

War of Knives -In 1799, Louverture and Rigaud were the two main

sources of power in the colony. Louverture controlled the north and west regions of the

colony and Rigaud controlled the South.

-Disagreement emerged over whose interests would

be promoted in this new society-those of

Louverture’s black supporters or those of the

wealthy affranchi who made up the bulk of

Rigaud’s followers.

-The brutal war lasted for over a year, but eventually, Louverture, with the help of the British

overcame Rigaud.

Choices!

From here, we are going to look at the Haitian Revolution through the lense of individuals in Saint-Domingue as well as France. We are going to use the same format as the French Rev Role Play (Crisis & Solutions) Activity.

Work Time You have the remainder of the class to complete

layered curriculum work.

Suggested activities:

-Vocabulary

-Enslaved People’s Experience-Diary Activity

-Documentary & Questions (use back computers)