The Haitian Revolution (1791)

Initial Uprising

• Date and Location: August 22nd, 1791, North Province, Saint-Domingue.
• Trigger: Slaves revolt across the north, burning cane fields visible from Le Cap.
• Rebellion Leaders:
  • Slaves armed with machetes and torches.
  • Duddy Bookman credited with sparking the revolt through a ceremony.
• Accusations and Blame:
  • Various factions in Saint-Domingue blamed each other.
  • White militias attacked free people of color, accusing them of masterminding the rebellion.
  • Plantation owners accused the royal governor of complicity.
• Rebel Activities:
  • Liberated enslaved people.
  • Burned plantations, mills, and other representations of oppression.
  • Violence was selective, sparing some overseers considered fair.

Propaganda and Military Response

• French Propaganda: Exaggerated reports of thousands of white casualties.
• Actual Casualties:
  • 400 whites reportedly killed in the first four months.
  • Higher casualty rates among rebels, many armed only with machetes.
• Rebel Tactics:
  • Guerrilla warfare skills from previous tribal conflicts.
  • Courage in battle partly due to belief in spiritual return to Africa after death.

Leadership Changes

• Casualties Among Leaders:
  • Bookman killed in November.
  • Infighting among rebel factions.
• Emerging Leaders:
  • Toussaint Louverture rises as a key figure.
  • Louverture previously freed, managed a plantation, had no white ancestry, and owned no property.

Attempts at Compromise

• Stalemate: Rebels control countryside; whites and government forces hold cities.
• Proposed Terms:
  • Enslaved return to plantations; generals get freedom.
  • Proposal rejected by plantation owners.
• Louverture's Role: Gains respect, becomes a general, displayed talent for compromise and organization.

Free People of Color

• Western Province Uprising: Near Port-au-Prince, free people of color signed treaty with plantation owners.
• Decree Changes:
  • May 15th decree initially granted rights to free people of color.
  • Decree repealed, leading to breakdowns in alliances.

Internationalization of Conflict

• Commission from France: Carried new laws granting rights to free people of color.
• Orders: Integrate assemblies, end slave insurrection, crush white extremist independence movements.
• France at War: Arrival of British and Spanish ships, escalating conflict to international war.

Conclusion

• The Haitian Revolution was characterized by complex alliances, shifting loyalties, and the emergence of notable leaders like Toussaint Louverture.
• Revolt was not only about freedom but initially also about better conditions and more power.
• International involvement indicated the global ramifications of Saint-Domingue's struggle.

Acknowledgments

• Special thanks to educational patrons supporting the documentation of this history.