Revolutions: The Haitian Revolution

Background Information on the Enlightenment: In the year of 1791, The French and Haitian Revolution coexisted simultaneously. France was trying to pick up the pieces of a country left in shambles, while across the hemisphere, Haiti was about to ignite the fire. In France, they were in the process of creating a new government, in which all citizens would have equal rights, as based on the Declaration of the Rights of Man. In Haiti, a shocked oppressed populace was discovering the power that was held by the Declaration of the Rights of Man and was keen to set their own revolution. Due to these uprisings in different parts of the world, it had a varying political objective, but it appears to be that it was roused by the Enlightenment's radical

Saint Domingue was one of the richest colonies of the Americas during the late eighteenth century. Its extravagance resulted from their large production of highly demanded coffee, cotton, and sugar, which heavily depended on strict slave regime. Slaves, many whom were African born, made up the vast majority of the population and suffered poor working and living conditions. The anger of slaves caused the Haitian Revolution, which would lead to Haiti freeing itself from its oppressor and becoming an independent republic in the Caribbean. The Haitian Revolution created a profound effect not only the former French colony, but also acted as a leader for reformation around the world.

During the Haitian Revolution through August 21, 1791, to January 1, 1804, slaves were imported from Africa and oppressed by the white, French population. The slaves were outraged at the mistreatment and decided to revolt against their masters. There were many causes that started the revolution, such as social, economic, and political inequality between the white French and everyone else. The revolution itself also had an important legacy that inspired hope for the future of those oppressed as well as more negatively, death and tragedy. The Haitian Revolution was caused by oppressive slavery and discrimination against all but the French elite and led to the death of French and Haitians alike, the French’s expulsion from the island, and the spread of hope and freedom to other oppressed people all over the world.

Within the period of 1750 to 1914, changes were taking place around the world. New empires and nations began growing and expanding their territory, and as a result of these actions, wars, bankruptcy, and rebellions became more common. An example is the American Revolution, in which the American colonists, who were influenced by new philosophies and the sense of nationalism, fought and gained their independence from Britain. This revolution eventually inspired others throughout the world as it was successful in gaining the colonies independence from a powerful European empire. Those revolutions include the Haitian and French Revolution.

INTRODUCTION The Haitian Revolution was one of the largest and most successful slave revolutions in the Western Hemisphere, because it consisted of several synchronized revolutions. St Domingue was considered to be one of the richest colonies in the West Indies. There were many conditions in the society of Haiti that contributed to the rebellion in 1791. The main points focused on are the ruthless treatment of the enslaved and the desire for Haitian blacks and multi-racial people to be treated with respect and decency THE FREE PERSONS OF COLOUR While discussing the issue of free colored the writer states that there were approximately 35,000 free persons of color in 1789. (Beckles and shepherd 183).

In the year 1791, African slaves in the French colony of St. Domingue initiated a rebellion that by the year 1803 succeeded in ending the brutal oppression of slavery in the country. This revolution, currently known as the Haitian Revolution, was the largest and most effective slave insurrection in the Western Hemisphere. The revolution not only ended slavery, but it succeeded in terminating French control over the colony and alleviating the volatile political, social and economic conditions in St. Domingue which led to the outbreak of the Haitian Revolution. Firstly, the political conditions in St. Domingue led to the revolution. Considerable political unrest had been created in the colonies as a result of the pioneering reforms and ideologies introduced during the French Revolution (1789 – 1799).

After hundreds of years of proven service to Spain, the Creoles felt that the Bourbons were now treating them like a recently conquered nation. The Haitian Revolution is known to be the largest and most successful slave rebellion in the Western Hemisphere. Slaves initiated the rebellion in 1791 and by 1803 they had succeeded in ending not just slavery but French control over the colony. The Haitian Revolution, however, was much more complex, consisting of several revolutions going on simultaneously. These revolutions were influenced by the French Revolution of 1789, which would come to represent a new concept of human rights, universal citizenship, and participation in government.

Again, republic was overthrown and dictatorship under Napoleon came to power. This war not only effected French but global conflict extended to the Caribbean to the Middle East. According to many historians this French revolution is considered as one of the most important events in human history. The causes of this revolution are known to

Often, revolutions include fighting, and civil unrest. During the 1700’s to the 1800’s there were two major revolutions that occurred, the French Revolution and the American Revolution. Although there are various examples of similarities and differences found in these two revolutions, there are more examples of differences compared to similarities. One of the common principles that these two revolutions share is that both revolutions were the products of Enlightenment ideals that emphasized the idea of natural rights and equality. The 18th century eventually became known as the age of enlightenment, it was a period that marked a lot of social change.

May 5, 1789, the beginning of the infamous French Revolution. Historians around the world studied the causes of the French Revolution, arguably regarded as one of the most important events in human history. Many important ideologies were developed during this time period. The current western political philosophies in France is the result of the French Revolution which introduced the principles of civic equality and popular sovereignty that challenged the historical Three Estates. Following many European reform trends, France in 1789 began their own major reform that lasted nearly a decade.

Ironically, most of the Federalists were not abolitionists, but their stance on continued slavery was much less than that of the Democratic-Republican Party. As demonstrated in the Haitian Revolution. In 1791, a group of slaves in Santo Domingo, Haiti revolted, killed planters, and burned plantations they were bound to. The American Federalists supported this revolution because of their history. Therefore, George Washington continued trade encounters with the Haitian community.

The McDuffie riots had a huge impact on the black community of Miami, The city of Miami, and The national government. Actions previously taken and their impact today. “The actions of the rioters were that they looted and burned down white owned stores.” (Floyd). “The riots would get tear gas and burn down stores and all you could smell is tear gas and smoke.” (Floyd). “They burned down white own tire company that burned on for days and nights, and all you could see was smoke from it all the way in uptown Miami.” (Floyd).