The Haitian Revolution

When and Why

The Haitian Revolution started in 1791 and ended in 1804.

Occurred because of slavery and colonialism in the former French colony of Saint
Domingue.
Whites numbered 32,000 with 28000 free slaves and an estimated 452,000 black slaves.
In Saint Domingue they passed a discriminatory law called the gens de colour in 1789.
August 21,1791 was the night of the revolt.

Major People

Le Cap Francais-Had a large population of freed slaves and later become an important
leader for the 1791 slave rebellion.

Julein Raimond- Had been actively appealing to France for full civil equality since the 1780’s.

Vincent Oge- A wealthy man working with Julien Raimond. Convinced a law passed by
French Constituent Assembly gave full rights to wealthy men of colour. Demanded the right
to vote. He wasn’t fighting for slavery, but was one of the factors for the slave rebellion.

Guillaume Raynal- Was an Enlightened writer who attacked slavery in the 1780 edition of his
history European colonization. He predicted a slave revolt in the colonies.

Dutty Bookman- A high priest of vodou and leader of the Maroon Slaves. Gave the signal of
the revolt and the colony plunged into civil war.

Significant Events

August 21, 1791--Dutty Bookman gives the signal for the revolt.
Within 10 days the slaves had taken the entire Northern Province. During the course of the
war the slaves sought out revenge on their masters through pillage,rape, torture, mutilation,
and death.
Within weeks the number of slaves who joined the revolt reached some 100,000.
Within months the violence escalated and the slaves killed 4000 whites and burned 180
sugar plantations and hundreds of indigo plantations.
1792 rebels controlled a third of the island.
Spanish and British forces helped the slaves and supplied them with food, ammunition,
clothing, etc.
The French constitution of 1793 and 1795 both abolish the act of slavery, but the French
constitution of 1793 was never applied.
1804 the Haitian massacre was carried out against the remaining white population in Haiti by
the black population.

Colonial Power Reaction to this Revolution

1792 The success of the slave rebellion caused the newly elected Legislative Assembly in
French to realize it was facing an ominous situation.

The Assembly granted civil and political rights to the free people of colour.

The abolition of slavery of the colonies because of the French constitution of 1793 and 1795

Who wins?

The Haitians won and by the end some 3000-5000 people will killed. The 1804 Massacre
had a long lasting effect on the view of the Haitian Revolution and helped to create a legacy
of racial hostility in Haitian society.