Haitian revolution

Question 1

What was Haiti originally

Answer 1

-the French colony of Saint Domingue

-“The Jewel in the French Crown”

-“The Pearl of the Antilles”

-Extremely prosperous Caribbean colony due to sugar and coffee production

-Renamed Haiti after the revolution

-Today one of the world’s poorest countries

Question 2

What caused the Haitian revolution

Answer 2

1) Slavery- Terrible working conditions for the slaves and against all men being equal
2) The American and French Revolutions- Slaves heard of the tither revolutions
3) Enlightenment - ideas of all men being created equal
4) Race-based Society- Social hierarchy in Haiti based on how “black” someone was by blood

Question 3

What Tactics did the Slaves use to revolt?

Answer 3

Tactics: Burning sugar cane, guerilla warfare - not trained

Question 4

When and how did the slaves plan their revolt?

Answer 4

-1791 - Slaves plan revolt under the cover of meeting to observe their Voodoo traditions (mix of native African and Christian religion); violently uprise

-Tactics: Burning sugar cane, guerilla warfare - not trained

Question 5

When and why did the French Government abolish slavery

Answer 5

• In 1793

-Trying to stop slave rebellions; France already having own revolution and at war with Britain and Spain

Question 6

What important document can out of the Haitian Revolution

Answer 6

Haitian Constitution of 1804 - declared an independent nation of Haiti

Question 7

Toussaint louverture

Answer 7

-Former slave who lived as a Free Person of Color

-L’Ouverture learned to read and write as a slave, and was interested in books about freedom & equality for all

-Begins the fight against France (1791)

-In 1791, a group of slaves led by L’Ouverture rebelled against their white masters

-Served as a Military General and Politician

-Organizes the slaves into a well-trained militia - change in style of warfare

-L’Ouverture declared himself Dictator of Haiti in 1801 due to his popularity and leadership of the Revolution

-This angered Napoleon and sparked war with France!

-1802 - makes “peace” w/ the French and captured

-Died in prison in France in 1804

Question 8

what was the significance of the Haitian Revolution

Answer 8

-First Latin American colony to break from Europe (1804)

-First successful slave revolution - abolished slavery

Question 9

Jean Jacques Dessalines

Answer 9

-General that takes over for Toussaint when arrested

-Finishes the fight with L’Ouverture’s outraged troops - 1803

-Battle of Vertieres - The revolutionaries defeat the French under Napoleon!