The Haitian Revolution of 1791-1803
An Historical Essay in Four Parts by Bob Corbett
Overview of First Essay
The shortest account which one typically hears of the Haitian Revolution is that the slaves rose up In 1791 and by 1803 had
driven the whites out of Saint-Domingue, (the colonial name of Haiti) declaring the independent Republic of Haiti. It's certainly
true that this happened. But, the Revolution was much more complex. Actually there were several revolutions going on
simultaneously, all deeply influenced by the French Revolution which commenced In Paris in 1789. In this first of four essays on
The Haitian Revolution, I will do two things:
1. Analyze the antecedents of the revolution and clarify some of the complex and shifting positions of the various interest groups
which participated in it.
2. Follow the earliest days of three revolutionary movements:
1. The planters' move toward independence.
2. The people of color's revolution for full citizenship.
3. The slave uprising of 1791.
An Historical Essay in Four Parts by Bob Corbett
Overview of First Essay
The shortest account which one typically hears of the Haitian Revolution is that the slaves rose up In 1791 and by 1803 had
driven the whites out of Saint-Domingue, (the colonial name of Haiti) declaring the independent Republic of Haiti. It's certainly
true that this happened. But, the Revolution was much more complex. Actually there were several revolutions going on
simultaneously, all deeply influenced by the French Revolution which commenced In Paris in 1789. In this first of four essays on
The Haitian Revolution, I will do two things:
1. Analyze the antecedents of the revolution and clarify some of the complex and shifting positions of the various interest groups
which participated in it.
2. Follow the earliest days of three revolutionary movements:
1. The planters' move toward independence.
2. The people of color's revolution for full citizenship.
3. The slave uprising of 1791.
These mulattoes were often freed by their father-masters in some sort of paternal guilt or concern. These mulatto children were
usually feared by the slaves since the masters often displayed unpredictable behavior toward them, at times recognizing them
as their children and demanding special treatment, at other times wishing to deny their existence. Thus the slaves wanted
nothing to do with the mulattoes if possible.
The other half of the free persons of color were black slaves who had purchased their own freedom or been given freedom by
their masters for various reasons.
The free people of color were often quite wealthy, certainly usually more wealthy than the petit blancs (thus accounting for the
distinct hatred of the free persons of color on the part of the petit blancs), and often even more wealthy than the planters.
The free persons of color could own plantations and owned a large portion of the slaves. They often treated their slaves poorly
and almost always wanted to draw distinct lines between themselves and the slaves. Free people of color were usually strongly
pro-slavery.
There were special laws which limited the behavior of the free people of color and they did not have rights as citizens of France.
Like the planters, they tended to lean toward independence and to wish for a free Saint-Domingue which would be a slave
nation in which they could be free and independent citizens.
usually feared by the slaves since the masters often displayed unpredictable behavior toward them, at times recognizing them
as their children and demanding special treatment, at other times wishing to deny their existence. Thus the slaves wanted
nothing to do with the mulattoes if possible.
The other half of the free persons of color were black slaves who had purchased their own freedom or been given freedom by
their masters for various reasons.
The free people of color were often quite wealthy, certainly usually more wealthy than the petit blancs (thus accounting for the
distinct hatred of the free persons of color on the part of the petit blancs), and often even more wealthy than the planters.
The free persons of color could own plantations and owned a large portion of the slaves. They often treated their slaves poorly
and almost always wanted to draw distinct lines between themselves and the slaves. Free people of color were usually strongly
pro-slavery.
There were special laws which limited the behavior of the free people of color and they did not have rights as citizens of France.
Like the planters, they tended to lean toward independence and to wish for a free Saint-Domingue which would be a slave
nation in which they could be free and independent citizens.
Visit: htt://www.webster.edu/CorbetandHaiti
To finish reading the rest of this essay and many
more of Bob Corbet from Webster University>>>
To finish reading the rest of this essay and many
more of Bob Corbet from Webster University>>>
Prelude to the Revolution: 1760 to 1789
climate, Saint-Domingue produced sugar, coffee, cocoa, indigo, tobacco, cotton, sisal
climate, Saint-Domingue produced sugar, coffee, cocoa, indigo, tobacco, cotton, sisal
as well as some fruits and vegetables for the motherland, France.
as well as some fruits and vegetables for the motherland, France.
When the French Revolution broke out in 1789, there were four distinct sets of interest
groups in Saint-Domingue, with distinct sets of interests and even some important
distinctions within these many categories:
* The whites
* The free people of color
* The black slaves
* The maroons
climate, Saint-Domingue produced sugar, coffee, cocoa, indigo, tobacco, cotton, sisal
climate, Saint-Domingue produced sugar, coffee, cocoa, indigo, tobacco, cotton, sisal
as well as some fruits and vegetables for the motherland, France.
as well as some fruits and vegetables for the motherland, France.
When the French Revolution broke out in 1789, there were four distinct sets of interest
groups in Saint-Domingue, with distinct sets of interests and even some important
distinctions within these many categories:
* The whites
* The free people of color
* The black slaves
* The maroons
Petit Blancs
The second group of whites were less powerful than the planters.
They were artisans, shop keepers, merchants, teachers and various
middle and underclass whites. They often had a few slaves, but
were not wealthy like the planters.
They tended to be less independence-minded and more loyal to
France.
However, they were committed to slavery and were especially
anti-black, seeing free persons of color as serious economic and
social competitors.
The Free Persons of Color
There were approximately 30,000 free persons of color in 1789.
About half of them were mulattoes, children of white Frenchmen and
slave women.
The second group of whites were less powerful than the planters.
They were artisans, shop keepers, merchants, teachers and various
middle and underclass whites. They often had a few slaves, but
were not wealthy like the planters.
They tended to be less independence-minded and more loyal to
France.
However, they were committed to slavery and were especially
anti-black, seeing free persons of color as serious economic and
social competitors.
The Free Persons of Color
There were approximately 30,000 free persons of color in 1789.
About half of them were mulattoes, children of white Frenchmen and
slave women.
The Whites
There were approximately 20,000 whites, mainly French, in Saint-Domingue. They were divided into two main groups:
The Planters
These were wealthy whites who owned plantations and many slaves. Since their wealth and position rested entirely on the
slave economy they were united in support of slavery. They were, by 1770, extremely disenchanted with France. Their complaint
was almost identical with the complaints that led the North American British to rebel against King George in 1776 and declare
their independence. That is, the metropole (France), imposed strict laws on the colony prohibiting any trading with any partner
except France. Further, the colonists had no formal representation with the French government.
Virtually all the planters violated the laws of France and carried on an illegal trade especially with the fledgling nation, the United
States of America. Most of the planters leaned strongly toward independence for Saint-Domingue along the same lines as the
U.S., that is, a slave nation governed by white males.
It is important to note at the outset that this group was revolutionary, independence-minded and defiant of the laws of France.
There were approximately 20,000 whites, mainly French, in Saint-Domingue. They were divided into two main groups:
The Planters
These were wealthy whites who owned plantations and many slaves. Since their wealth and position rested entirely on the
slave economy they were united in support of slavery. They were, by 1770, extremely disenchanted with France. Their complaint
was almost identical with the complaints that led the North American British to rebel against King George in 1776 and declare
their independence. That is, the metropole (France), imposed strict laws on the colony prohibiting any trading with any partner
except France. Further, the colonists had no formal representation with the French government.
Virtually all the planters violated the laws of France and carried on an illegal trade especially with the fledgling nation, the United
States of America. Most of the planters leaned strongly toward independence for Saint-Domingue along the same lines as the
U.S., that is, a slave nation governed by white males.
It is important to note at the outset that this group was revolutionary, independence-minded and defiant of the laws of France.
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