The Eight Stages
of the Haitian Revolution
Below, are the eight stages of the Haitian Revolution. The stages include: long term causes, short term causes, growing desperation, taken reform, triggers, overthrow, and new regime. Hopefully, this can help explain more about the Haitian Revolution.
Ongoing Bad Treatment of Slaves
Ever since the first French people arrived to Saint Domingue, slaves from Africa have been brought over and used to grow and harvest their owner’s crops. In the beginning, owners only had a few slaves. They would work side by side with them and eat the same food. Not long after, the discovery of growing sugarcane on the island became known and everything changed. Sugar was a highly profitable crop but contained a lot more work, increasing the amount of slaves shipped to the island. Ever since then, the well treatment of slaves cease to exist. It had gotten so bad that a third of the slaves imported, die during their first year. And those who survived longer, were treated so badly that it wasn't long before they died of exhaustion. The owners didn't mind this and actually enjoyed working them to death, because it sped up the rate of their crops and they could easily get new slaves. According to the Haitian Ambassador to the United States, Jean Casimir, “They [the French] brought it down to science. A slave coming from Africa would not last three years from the way the system was organized.” Life for the slaves was so terrible that being sent off to Saint Domingue was actually used as a threat to many slaves in the United States.
Throughout history, the slaves and maroons would often cause trouble with revolts and riots. They never occurred in large masses, making it simple for the planters to put an end to it and return everything to its normal state. One of the biggest revolts prior to the revolution was in 1759, led by a man named Mackandal. It was an organized poisoning scheme across the colony. The food and drinks of slave’s masters were contaminated, killing many. After a while, information was tortured out of a slave and Mackandal and many of his followers were killed. It didn’t take long before all the commotion ended and the rebellious slaves returned back to following their masters. In response to the revolt, many owners became even more brutal and violent towards the slaves, reminding them who holds the power.
In conclusion, the horrible treatment of slaves was the long term cause of this revolution that was between the slaves and maroons against the planters, petit blancs, free colored, and the mulattoes. This treatment has been going on for over 200 years. Some of the maroons and slaves tried to revolt against their masters but were unsuccessful from the small number of people who sided with them.
Ongoing Trade to France Only
The colonists in Saint Domingue had a law stated that a hundred percent of all imports and exports must be to France only. This law was very similar to the one the colonists in America had from Great Britain. Both planters and petit blancs were upset about this rule from the beginning. During the mid 1700s though it became more of an issue. The price for sugar, coffee, and other crops were very high around the world. The planters wanted to be able to sell their crops to the highest bidder to gain more money. Saint Domingue was already producing one third of the world’s sugar and half of its coffee, so to them, it only seemed fair that they should be keeping all the money gained from selling it or at least more than the amount France was paying them.
In 1763, the planters, free blacks, mulattoes, and petit blancs tried to look for a greater local control over affairs such as this. They were in desperate need for greater control since all of Saint Domingue’s affairs were dealt with in France. In France, no one from Saint Domingue had any say in decisions they made. A organization was attempted to be made in solution. France strongly opposed of this and did not allow such actions, angering many colonists.
Overall, the planters, free blacks, mulattoes, and petit blancs were mad at the French for not allowing them to take part in decisions dealing with the colony they were living in. They could not make their own union or have any part in the one in France. One issue they wished to deal with was who they were allowed to trade with. They wished for greater profit and to sell to the highest bidder.
Ongoing Unequal Rights Between Free Blacks
According to the author of the book, Avengers of the New World: The Story of the Haitian Revolution, children born from a white master and a women slave, mulattoes, lived a very different life from anywhere else in the world. Instead of the master ignoring their presence, they chose to acknowledge and provide special privileges to them. Mulattoes would be sent to European countries for education. When their schooling was finished, they would come back and start their own plantation or business. Mulattoes along with other free blacks, (either bought their freedom or were born from free parents) dressed like whites and tried to act more “white” then the actual whites due to their appearance differences. The problem though was that even though these people received so many more rights than they slaves, they were still not equal to the whites, which is what they really wanter. This has been problem for the free blacks and mulattoes ever since the beginning of the colony.
In the mid 1700s, there were more free colored people, mulattoes included, than whites. These people were angered by the fact that they were a necessity in the booming Saint Domingue economy but still still received limitations. The free colored where imperative, for they were known for lending money, which was crucial to many planters who were growing in size and wealth. They also owned many plantations and were in charge of many slaves. Free colored though, were not allowed to hold public office, enter France, gather together after 9 o’clock pm, gamble, practice law or medicine, or sit and dress like whites. If any of them were to commit any of these forbidden practices above, they would be chained, imprisoned, tortured, and most importantly, they would lose their freedom. This infuriated many of them. The problem though, was the whites, feared for the growing power of the free colored. They believed that the free blacks should not have as many privileges as they did and disliked them. The whites continued to encourage the French to ignore the free colored’s plea of equal rights and instead, provide the free blacks with additional limitations, which I will continue to discuss in stage two.
In conclusion, the free colored people of Saint Domingue were angry about the restrictions the French provided them. They did the same thing as the whites in their daily lives and some were even more powerful. They still had many rules though that could result in their loss of freedom if not carefully followed. The free colored were not even considered “people”, similar to the slaves, in the French government. This of course created outrage among the blacks all over Saint Domingue towards the whites and the French.
Ever since the first French people arrived to Saint Domingue, slaves from Africa have been brought over and used to grow and harvest their owner’s crops. In the beginning, owners only had a few slaves. They would work side by side with them and eat the same food. Not long after, the discovery of growing sugarcane on the island became known and everything changed. Sugar was a highly profitable crop but contained a lot more work, increasing the amount of slaves shipped to the island. Ever since then, the well treatment of slaves cease to exist. It had gotten so bad that a third of the slaves imported, die during their first year. And those who survived longer, were treated so badly that it wasn't long before they died of exhaustion. The owners didn't mind this and actually enjoyed working them to death, because it sped up the rate of their crops and they could easily get new slaves. According to the Haitian Ambassador to the United States, Jean Casimir, “They [the French] brought it down to science. A slave coming from Africa would not last three years from the way the system was organized.” Life for the slaves was so terrible that being sent off to Saint Domingue was actually used as a threat to many slaves in the United States.
Throughout history, the slaves and maroons would often cause trouble with revolts and riots. They never occurred in large masses, making it simple for the planters to put an end to it and return everything to its normal state. One of the biggest revolts prior to the revolution was in 1759, led by a man named Mackandal. It was an organized poisoning scheme across the colony. The food and drinks of slave’s masters were contaminated, killing many. After a while, information was tortured out of a slave and Mackandal and many of his followers were killed. It didn’t take long before all the commotion ended and the rebellious slaves returned back to following their masters. In response to the revolt, many owners became even more brutal and violent towards the slaves, reminding them who holds the power.
In conclusion, the horrible treatment of slaves was the long term cause of this revolution that was between the slaves and maroons against the planters, petit blancs, free colored, and the mulattoes. This treatment has been going on for over 200 years. Some of the maroons and slaves tried to revolt against their masters but were unsuccessful from the small number of people who sided with them.
Ongoing Trade to France Only
The colonists in Saint Domingue had a law stated that a hundred percent of all imports and exports must be to France only. This law was very similar to the one the colonists in America had from Great Britain. Both planters and petit blancs were upset about this rule from the beginning. During the mid 1700s though it became more of an issue. The price for sugar, coffee, and other crops were very high around the world. The planters wanted to be able to sell their crops to the highest bidder to gain more money. Saint Domingue was already producing one third of the world’s sugar and half of its coffee, so to them, it only seemed fair that they should be keeping all the money gained from selling it or at least more than the amount France was paying them.
In 1763, the planters, free blacks, mulattoes, and petit blancs tried to look for a greater local control over affairs such as this. They were in desperate need for greater control since all of Saint Domingue’s affairs were dealt with in France. In France, no one from Saint Domingue had any say in decisions they made. A organization was attempted to be made in solution. France strongly opposed of this and did not allow such actions, angering many colonists.
Overall, the planters, free blacks, mulattoes, and petit blancs were mad at the French for not allowing them to take part in decisions dealing with the colony they were living in. They could not make their own union or have any part in the one in France. One issue they wished to deal with was who they were allowed to trade with. They wished for greater profit and to sell to the highest bidder.
Ongoing Unequal Rights Between Free Blacks
According to the author of the book, Avengers of the New World: The Story of the Haitian Revolution, children born from a white master and a women slave, mulattoes, lived a very different life from anywhere else in the world. Instead of the master ignoring their presence, they chose to acknowledge and provide special privileges to them. Mulattoes would be sent to European countries for education. When their schooling was finished, they would come back and start their own plantation or business. Mulattoes along with other free blacks, (either bought their freedom or were born from free parents) dressed like whites and tried to act more “white” then the actual whites due to their appearance differences. The problem though was that even though these people received so many more rights than they slaves, they were still not equal to the whites, which is what they really wanter. This has been problem for the free blacks and mulattoes ever since the beginning of the colony.
In the mid 1700s, there were more free colored people, mulattoes included, than whites. These people were angered by the fact that they were a necessity in the booming Saint Domingue economy but still still received limitations. The free colored where imperative, for they were known for lending money, which was crucial to many planters who were growing in size and wealth. They also owned many plantations and were in charge of many slaves. Free colored though, were not allowed to hold public office, enter France, gather together after 9 o’clock pm, gamble, practice law or medicine, or sit and dress like whites. If any of them were to commit any of these forbidden practices above, they would be chained, imprisoned, tortured, and most importantly, they would lose their freedom. This infuriated many of them. The problem though, was the whites, feared for the growing power of the free colored. They believed that the free blacks should not have as many privileges as they did and disliked them. The whites continued to encourage the French to ignore the free colored’s plea of equal rights and instead, provide the free blacks with additional limitations, which I will continue to discuss in stage two.
In conclusion, the free colored people of Saint Domingue were angry about the restrictions the French provided them. They did the same thing as the whites in their daily lives and some were even more powerful. They still had many rules though that could result in their loss of freedom if not carefully followed. The free colored were not even considered “people”, similar to the slaves, in the French government. This of course created outrage among the blacks all over Saint Domingue towards the whites and the French.
Instructions to Administrators
In 1771, King Louis XV, the French King, decides to establish new restrictions for the free blacks and mulattoes living in Saint Domingue. Therefore, he issued the Instructions to Administrators. This document added new regulations to the Code Noir of 1685. The Code Noir was set of rules, written a hundred years prior. These rules address things such as power of the whites; slave food ration, punishments, quality of life; and how much power free colors should have. These new set of laws enranged the free colored even more. They had wanted more equality and instead, they received additional restrictions!
These angry free colored people try to ask the French government nicely, by creating a petition for “political rights for free persons of color.” There is no response. Thus, a second petition is submitted, but this time it is submitted by a white colonist, in hopes for the French to give it some thought. But this ended badly. According to a witness, the white colonist was “dragged through the streets, and brutally killed by a furious mob of petitis blancs who cut off his head and paraded it through the town on a spike.” A third time was tried but failed to succeed. This futher angered the free colored of Saint Domingue. They had tried to ask the French government but they were not willing to listen.
In conclusion, both the Instructions to Administrators and the petitions, further angered the free colored people of Saint Domingue. These people were receiving additional restrictions when they desperately wanted less. In addition, France was not willing to listen. At this moment, the free colored people started to feel that more was needed then a kind request. In a year’s time, you will notice that they have turned to violence instead, in order to send their message to France.
The Drought
A dreadful drought occurred in the year of 1789. This left water across the island, hard to find. Food then became scarce and no water, damaged the crop production greatly. In affect, slaves were given even less food to eat but the same amount of working time. Their owners though, did not lessen their own rations in any way and to the owners, food for the animals were far more important than food for the slaves. These slaves had already been given so little food prior to the drought, that even less food became their last straw. Many, many slaves died that year. Many tried to run away to the mountains. Besides from food, slaves got treated even worse by their masters. Their masters were under a lot of stress from not being able to produce that status quo and released their emotion by giving the slaves longer hours and worse punishments. When slaves started to run, they even became more violent. This made the slaves feel helpless towards their owners and a greater hatred filled them.
Declaration of Man and Citizen
In result of the French Revolution, the Declaration of Man and Citizens was established. This document was influenced by individualism and enlightenment. It stated the human rights for the people in France such as women rights and citizenship.
The document declared, “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinction may be founded only upon the general good... These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression... Every citizen may accordingly, speak, write, and print with freedom.” When news of this document reached the people of Saint Domingue, chaos among the slaves and free colored erupted throughout Saint Domingue. These people were in fact living in a French colony but did not apply from them.
This document created inspiration to many revolts soon to come. The slaves and free colored people started using the context of this declaration as a goal they hoped to achieve for themselves.
In 1771, King Louis XV, the French King, decides to establish new restrictions for the free blacks and mulattoes living in Saint Domingue. Therefore, he issued the Instructions to Administrators. This document added new regulations to the Code Noir of 1685. The Code Noir was set of rules, written a hundred years prior. These rules address things such as power of the whites; slave food ration, punishments, quality of life; and how much power free colors should have. These new set of laws enranged the free colored even more. They had wanted more equality and instead, they received additional restrictions!
These angry free colored people try to ask the French government nicely, by creating a petition for “political rights for free persons of color.” There is no response. Thus, a second petition is submitted, but this time it is submitted by a white colonist, in hopes for the French to give it some thought. But this ended badly. According to a witness, the white colonist was “dragged through the streets, and brutally killed by a furious mob of petitis blancs who cut off his head and paraded it through the town on a spike.” A third time was tried but failed to succeed. This futher angered the free colored of Saint Domingue. They had tried to ask the French government but they were not willing to listen.
In conclusion, both the Instructions to Administrators and the petitions, further angered the free colored people of Saint Domingue. These people were receiving additional restrictions when they desperately wanted less. In addition, France was not willing to listen. At this moment, the free colored people started to feel that more was needed then a kind request. In a year’s time, you will notice that they have turned to violence instead, in order to send their message to France.
The Drought
A dreadful drought occurred in the year of 1789. This left water across the island, hard to find. Food then became scarce and no water, damaged the crop production greatly. In affect, slaves were given even less food to eat but the same amount of working time. Their owners though, did not lessen their own rations in any way and to the owners, food for the animals were far more important than food for the slaves. These slaves had already been given so little food prior to the drought, that even less food became their last straw. Many, many slaves died that year. Many tried to run away to the mountains. Besides from food, slaves got treated even worse by their masters. Their masters were under a lot of stress from not being able to produce that status quo and released their emotion by giving the slaves longer hours and worse punishments. When slaves started to run, they even became more violent. This made the slaves feel helpless towards their owners and a greater hatred filled them.
Declaration of Man and Citizen
In result of the French Revolution, the Declaration of Man and Citizens was established. This document was influenced by individualism and enlightenment. It stated the human rights for the people in France such as women rights and citizenship.
The document declared, “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinction may be founded only upon the general good... These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression... Every citizen may accordingly, speak, write, and print with freedom.” When news of this document reached the people of Saint Domingue, chaos among the slaves and free colored erupted throughout Saint Domingue. These people were in fact living in a French colony but did not apply from them.
This document created inspiration to many revolts soon to come. The slaves and free colored people started using the context of this declaration as a goal they hoped to achieve for themselves.
Grande Riviere and Jacques Vincent
In 1790, one year prior to the start of the Haitian Revolution, a man named Jacques Vincent Ogé leads a group of 300 mulattoes and free blacks to the city of Grande-Riviere. They came in fully armed and ready to attack the whites. These people were mad about the unequal rights between the free colored people and the white “supreme” colonists. They marched into the city, in hopes of sending a message and taking the whites out. Unfortunately, they were greatly outnumbered and were forced to retreat. This was an important moment in Haitian history. This was one of the first attacks where the people in Saint Domingue, took matters into their own hands. In addition, this attack was one that inspired further and grander battles to come.
Plantation Attack in Les Cayes
In the beginning of 1791, 2,000 angry slaves decided to attack a plantation in Les Cayes. This plantation was used as a military camp for the white colonists. The slaves barged in and it wasn’t long before the place was in flames. After they were done, they moved on to another plantation and another and another. They picked up more slaves on the way. Any slave who disagreed to join these rebellious slaves, ended up dead. 14 plantations were nothing but ash, by the time they were finished.
The governor at the time, tried to disarm these slaves. The problem though, was he thought to highly of himself. He announced his plans to the public, making sure that the slaves knew what was coming, in attempt to scare them. The only thing they got out of this announcement though was time to prepare and disarm the governor. By the time the fight took place, the slaves easily defeated the governor and his troops.
In conclusion, the attacks on the plantations in Les Cayes took place from angered slaves, who took their own attempts in trying to solve the way they were treated. They burned plantations and got more slaves to join. The governor tried to attack them, but they won. These two events boosted the confidence of the slaves against the white colonists. In addition, they received a grand amount of supplies from the retreating army, which they used in further battles.
In 1790, one year prior to the start of the Haitian Revolution, a man named Jacques Vincent Ogé leads a group of 300 mulattoes and free blacks to the city of Grande-Riviere. They came in fully armed and ready to attack the whites. These people were mad about the unequal rights between the free colored people and the white “supreme” colonists. They marched into the city, in hopes of sending a message and taking the whites out. Unfortunately, they were greatly outnumbered and were forced to retreat. This was an important moment in Haitian history. This was one of the first attacks where the people in Saint Domingue, took matters into their own hands. In addition, this attack was one that inspired further and grander battles to come.
Plantation Attack in Les Cayes
In the beginning of 1791, 2,000 angry slaves decided to attack a plantation in Les Cayes. This plantation was used as a military camp for the white colonists. The slaves barged in and it wasn’t long before the place was in flames. After they were done, they moved on to another plantation and another and another. They picked up more slaves on the way. Any slave who disagreed to join these rebellious slaves, ended up dead. 14 plantations were nothing but ash, by the time they were finished.
The governor at the time, tried to disarm these slaves. The problem though, was he thought to highly of himself. He announced his plans to the public, making sure that the slaves knew what was coming, in attempt to scare them. The only thing they got out of this announcement though was time to prepare and disarm the governor. By the time the fight took place, the slaves easily defeated the governor and his troops.
In conclusion, the attacks on the plantations in Les Cayes took place from angered slaves, who took their own attempts in trying to solve the way they were treated. They burned plantations and got more slaves to join. The governor tried to attack them, but they won. These two events boosted the confidence of the slaves against the white colonists. In addition, they received a grand amount of supplies from the retreating army, which they used in further battles.
Freedom in Exchange of Joining the Army
In 1792, just a few months after the start of the revolution, Great Britain and Spain take advantage of the chaos in Saint Domingue. They tried to take over the rich Saint Domingue colony. The French were in dire need of troops and could not contain the slave revolts in addition to the attacks by the two great countries. In attempt to lessen the riots led by the slaves and maroons and also gain troops for their army, the French issue a proclamation, guaranteeing freedom as well as full rights of citizenship to any rebel slave who joins them.
Unfortunately, this does not work. Many slaves would rather be on the run, with their life in danger, than join the French and fight with them. The French realize this and a few months later they extend this offer to the wives and children. This was their first attempt to please the rebel slaves, asking them to stop. It didn’t work, making the French turn to more desperate options in the future.
General Emancipation
A year after the the previous attempt to contain the slaves, Léger Félicité Sonthonax issues a General Emancipation, abolishing slavery in the North. This was a desperate move that was needed due to the circumstances. In other places there were large restrictions on the punishments the slaves received and a minimal payment was established. They even got free days where they could rest and relax. This was far different from the life a few years previous.
Even with all of these drastic changes, the slaves were still unhappy. The slaves were still regulated by the government and were legally bound to the same plantation and same master. In additions, the women of Saint Domingue received discrimination with the new laws. These women would do the same amount of work and receive the same amount of punishments as the men, but now they receive almost half the pay as the men.
Even though these new rules, helped please many slaves, they still wanted complete freedom and not have any whites or French deciding their life. They also wanted the ability to own land and start their own plantation. Even though some slaves were considered “free” they did not have this ability.
In 1792, just a few months after the start of the revolution, Great Britain and Spain take advantage of the chaos in Saint Domingue. They tried to take over the rich Saint Domingue colony. The French were in dire need of troops and could not contain the slave revolts in addition to the attacks by the two great countries. In attempt to lessen the riots led by the slaves and maroons and also gain troops for their army, the French issue a proclamation, guaranteeing freedom as well as full rights of citizenship to any rebel slave who joins them.
Unfortunately, this does not work. Many slaves would rather be on the run, with their life in danger, than join the French and fight with them. The French realize this and a few months later they extend this offer to the wives and children. This was their first attempt to please the rebel slaves, asking them to stop. It didn’t work, making the French turn to more desperate options in the future.
General Emancipation
A year after the the previous attempt to contain the slaves, Léger Félicité Sonthonax issues a General Emancipation, abolishing slavery in the North. This was a desperate move that was needed due to the circumstances. In other places there were large restrictions on the punishments the slaves received and a minimal payment was established. They even got free days where they could rest and relax. This was far different from the life a few years previous.
Even with all of these drastic changes, the slaves were still unhappy. The slaves were still regulated by the government and were legally bound to the same plantation and same master. In additions, the women of Saint Domingue received discrimination with the new laws. These women would do the same amount of work and receive the same amount of punishments as the men, but now they receive almost half the pay as the men.
Even though these new rules, helped please many slaves, they still wanted complete freedom and not have any whites or French deciding their life. They also wanted the ability to own land and start their own plantation. Even though some slaves were considered “free” they did not have this ability.
Hédouville’s Arrival
In 1798, after seven years of the revolution, a commissioner named Hédouville arrives to Saint Domingue. During this time, the chaos of the revolution have decreased. The
ses people have been fighting for seven years and they were growing tired. Hédouville, tried to take advantage of this. His goal was to “prevent blacks from abusing their freedom” and also decrease the amount of power Louverture had. In his attempt, he forces Louverutre to resign as commander-in-chief, replacing him with three other white generals. He then sends all of Louverture’s black troops to the plantations. This sends a brand new wave of anger. The rebels and the slave, see this as an aim in re-establishing the old ways of slavery. They then begin a full attack against the whites and Hédouville.
Loverture's Betrayal
In 1800, Louverture was once again the commander-in-chief. He was now enforcing a military dictatorship in the colony, for he had 20,000 troops following his commands. Louverture then realized how badly the Saint Domingue economy had become. He then tries to enforce the traditional plantation system in order to bring back the production rate. His plans though left most of his followers feeling betrayed. This was because his plan was to make mandatory working time in the fields. In their opinion, this was just his nice way of saying, slavery was to be re-established. They saw Louverture as a person who was going to help the gain their freedom, not to establish slavery. This angered many of them and they felt their individual needs to take action. The revolution had been going on for nine years and Louverture’s way had just backfired on them.
In 1798, after seven years of the revolution, a commissioner named Hédouville arrives to Saint Domingue. During this time, the chaos of the revolution have decreased. The
ses people have been fighting for seven years and they were growing tired. Hédouville, tried to take advantage of this. His goal was to “prevent blacks from abusing their freedom” and also decrease the amount of power Louverture had. In his attempt, he forces Louverutre to resign as commander-in-chief, replacing him with three other white generals. He then sends all of Louverture’s black troops to the plantations. This sends a brand new wave of anger. The rebels and the slave, see this as an aim in re-establishing the old ways of slavery. They then begin a full attack against the whites and Hédouville.
Loverture's Betrayal
In 1800, Louverture was once again the commander-in-chief. He was now enforcing a military dictatorship in the colony, for he had 20,000 troops following his commands. Louverture then realized how badly the Saint Domingue economy had become. He then tries to enforce the traditional plantation system in order to bring back the production rate. His plans though left most of his followers feeling betrayed. This was because his plan was to make mandatory working time in the fields. In their opinion, this was just his nice way of saying, slavery was to be re-established. They saw Louverture as a person who was going to help the gain their freedom, not to establish slavery. This angered many of them and they felt their individual needs to take action. The revolution had been going on for nine years and Louverture’s way had just backfired on them.
The War in 1802
In 1802, 20,000 elite troops from France, arrived in Saint Dominge. The rebel slaves were completely outnumbered. They were constantly attacked by this great army. All hope seemed to be loss until the climate changed. This tropical climate sent 1,500 of the troops sick in just the first two weeks. They continued to drop after that. It wasn't long before they needed to request additional 8,000 troops. By this time, the rebel slaves, maroons, free blacks, and mulattoes have all joined forces together against the French.
The blacks lost battle after battle until Dessalines was able to hold a fort against the French. It was the first major loss and became known as the Battle of Crête-a-Pierrot. This was the first time there seemed to be a chance for the blacks to defeat the French. This inspired many other battles to come and it was not long by the time they made the French surrender.
In 1802, 20,000 elite troops from France, arrived in Saint Dominge. The rebel slaves were completely outnumbered. They were constantly attacked by this great army. All hope seemed to be loss until the climate changed. This tropical climate sent 1,500 of the troops sick in just the first two weeks. They continued to drop after that. It wasn't long before they needed to request additional 8,000 troops. By this time, the rebel slaves, maroons, free blacks, and mulattoes have all joined forces together against the French.
The blacks lost battle after battle until Dessalines was able to hold a fort against the French. It was the first major loss and became known as the Battle of Crête-a-Pierrot. This was the first time there seemed to be a chance for the blacks to defeat the French. This inspired many other battles to come and it was not long by the time they made the French surrender.
Toussaint Louverture
Toussaint Louverture was nick named the Black Napoleon. He was the main leader of the blacks throughout the Haitian Revolution. He was placed as commander-in-chief of Saint Domingue and held the inspiration of thousands of blacks. Maroons, slaves, mulattoes, and free blacks all respected and listened to him.
Moïse
Moïse was the nephew of Toussaint Louverture. They both agreed on many opinions together and Moïse became an inspirational character to many. He led many victorious battles. His final battle though was against Toussaint Louverture, for they were starting to disagree upon the current status of the revolution. He was then arrested by his uncle.
Jean-Jacques Dessalines
Jean-Jacques Dessalines, became known after his legendary Battle of Crête-a-Pierrot. After that, he held a great place in the minds of rebels and was the main leader of the revolution after Toussaint Louverture's caputre. He even became emperor after the revolution was over.
Toussaint Louverture was nick named the Black Napoleon. He was the main leader of the blacks throughout the Haitian Revolution. He was placed as commander-in-chief of Saint Domingue and held the inspiration of thousands of blacks. Maroons, slaves, mulattoes, and free blacks all respected and listened to him.
Moïse
Moïse was the nephew of Toussaint Louverture. They both agreed on many opinions together and Moïse became an inspirational character to many. He led many victorious battles. His final battle though was against Toussaint Louverture, for they were starting to disagree upon the current status of the revolution. He was then arrested by his uncle.
Jean-Jacques Dessalines
Jean-Jacques Dessalines, became known after his legendary Battle of Crête-a-Pierrot. After that, he held a great place in the minds of rebels and was the main leader of the revolution after Toussaint Louverture's caputre. He even became emperor after the revolution was over.
Declaration of Independence
In 1803, Dessalines' army defeated the French. The French surrendered and were given ten days to leave the island. Afterwards, many slaves killed every white they could find. After this, they decided to come together as one and a declaration of independence was written in French. The point of this declaration though was to show the French that they were independent and to please the people in Saint Domingue. It did not though give a bill of rights for the people.
This declaration ensured permanent abolishment of slavery all over Saint Domingue. It also said that all people are equal and have the right to own land. The ability to own land was perhaps the biggest gain from this revolution to the former slaves. The declaration stated that they were to “to live independent or die,” and they would also destroy any French forces that invaded. It was signed by Jean-Jacques Dessalines and many other important generals. The nation of Haiti was then established.
In 1803, Dessalines' army defeated the French. The French surrendered and were given ten days to leave the island. Afterwards, many slaves killed every white they could find. After this, they decided to come together as one and a declaration of independence was written in French. The point of this declaration though was to show the French that they were independent and to please the people in Saint Domingue. It did not though give a bill of rights for the people.
This declaration ensured permanent abolishment of slavery all over Saint Domingue. It also said that all people are equal and have the right to own land. The ability to own land was perhaps the biggest gain from this revolution to the former slaves. The declaration stated that they were to “to live independent or die,” and they would also destroy any French forces that invaded. It was signed by Jean-Jacques Dessalines and many other important generals. The nation of Haiti was then established.