Overview
This lecture examines the Haitian Revolution, its background, key figures, and the complex relationship between the United States and Haiti during and after the uprising.
Background of the Haitian Revolution
- The island now known as Haiti was initially controlled by Spain, later taken by France in 1697 and renamed Saint-Domingue.
- The colony became extremely profitable for France through slave-based agriculture, exporting sugar, coffee, and tobacco.
- The majority of the population were enslaved Africans, Creoles (locally born with African parents), and free people of color, with white plantation owners as a small minority.
Causes and Course of the Haitian Revolution
- Inspired by the 1789 French Revolution and its Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, although the declaration ignored enslaved people.
- In 1791, enslaved Africans in Saint-Domingue began a violent revolt seeking freedom from oppression.
- Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave, emerged as the revolution's main leader, successfully resisting French, British, and Spanish forces.
- Napoleon Bonaparte later sent troops to suppress the revolt; Toussaint was captured and died in France, but the resistance continued.
- By 1803, French forces suffered major losses due to warfare and disease, leading to their withdrawal.
- On January 1, 1804, the rebels declared independence and renamed the island Haiti, making it the only nation founded from a successful slave uprising.
The United States' Response
- The U.S. response was complex: Southern states feared similar revolts among enslaved people in America.
- Despite this, U.S. trade with Saint-Domingue continued, particularly under President John Adams, who also provided aid to L'Ouverture.
- Alexander Hamilton corresponded with L'Ouverture, promoting the idea of lifelong executive leadership.
- Thomas Jefferson, elected in 1801, stopped all aid and refused to recognize Haitian independence, fearing Southern backlash due to his own status as a slave owner.
- The U.S. did not officially recognize Haiti until 1862, during the Civil War after the South's secession.
Lasting Impact
- The Haitian Revolution indirectly influenced U.S. history by prompting Napoleon to sell the Louisiana Territory, doubling U.S. land.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Saint-Domingue — The French colonial name for present-day Haiti.
- Creoles — Individuals of African descent born in the colonies.
- Toussaint L'Ouverture — Leader of the Haitian slave revolt.
- Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen — French revolutionary document declaring all men free and equal.
- Louisiana Purchase — 1803 U.S. land acquisition from France, influenced by the Haitian Revolution.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Consider how the U.S. was perceived globally during this era.
- Recommended reading: "Avengers of the New World" by Laurent Dubois.
- Research America's ties to the Haitian Revolution for deeper understanding.