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Bravin Mokomba

Mr. Evan Johnson

Humanities 11

6 March 2025

Rough Draft

The Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) was the first successful slave uprising in history,
leading to the establishment of Haiti as an independent Black republic. This revolution
fundamentally reshaped global perspectives on slavery, colonialism, and racial hierarchy. Saint-
Domingue (modern-day Haiti) was one of the wealthiest colonies in the world due to its sugar
and coffee plantations, which were sustained by the brutal exploitation of enslaved Africans.
However, growing social tensions, Enlightenment ideals, and the instability caused by the French
Revolution ignited a liberation movement.

The significance of the Haitian Revolution extends far beyond the borders of Haiti. It not
only led to the abolition of slavery in the colony but also challenged the legitimacy of European
imperialism and white supremacy. This revolution directly influenced abolitionist movements in
the Americas and Europe, which forced colonial powers to reconsider the sustainability of
slavery-based economies. Between 1791 and 1804, the Haitian Revolution not only challenged
dominant ideologies of the time but also influenced other revolutions and transformed
international relations, which sought to leave a lasting impact on the world.

Saint-Domingue's economy thrived on an oppressive system of slavery that created

extreme disparities between enslaved Africans, free people of color, and white colonists. By the
late 18th century, Saint-Domingue was the most profitable colony in the world, producing nearly
40% of Europe’s sugar and over 60% of its coffee. This economic success, however, came at the
cost of extreme human suffering.

Enslaved people in Saint-Domingue endured some of the most brutal conditions in the
Atlantic world. Plantation owners implemented harsh punishments to maintain control, and the
mortality rate was exceptionally high due to overwork, malnutrition, and disease. Historian
Franklin W. Knight states, “The Haitian Revolution was fueled by the inhumane conditions of
slavery and the harsh realities of plantation life” (Knight, 103). Enslaved Africans frequently
resisted their conditions through acts of rebellion, escape, and cultural preservation,
demonstrating that the desire for freedom was ever-present.

Additionally, free people of color, many of whom were wealthy and educated, faced
severe restrictions and sought greater rights. As Digna Castañeda Fuertes notes, “The growing
free Black population in Saint-Domingue sought to assert their rights, creating tensions with
white planters” (Fuertes, 286). Despite their economic success, they were denied full citizenship
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rights, which fueled their discontent and increased the likelihood of rebellion. The economic
exploitation and rigid social hierarchy created an environment primed for revolution.

The Haitian Revolution was deeply influenced by the Enlightenment and the political
turmoil of the French Revolution. Enlightenment thinkers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and
John Locke promoted ideas of natural rights, equality, and freedom ideas that resonated with the
oppressed people of Saint-Domingue. Rebekah Nicholson explains, “The ideals of the
Enlightenment and the Declaration of the Rights of Man played a crucial role in shaping the
revolution” (Nicholson 24).

Additionally, the instability of the French Revolution weakened colonial authority,

providing an opportunity for enslaved people to demand their freedom. Robin Blackburn states,
“The upheaval in France created an opportunity for the enslaved population of Saint-Domingue
to press for their freedom” (Blackburn, 643). When the French National Assembly granted
citizenship to free people of color in 1791, white colonists in Saint-Domingue resisted the
decree, leading to further unrest. This political instability, combined with the desperation of
enslaved Africans, culminated in the start of the revolution.

One of the key reasons for the success of the Haitian Revolution was the leadership of
Toussaint Louverture and the use of guerrilla warfare tactics. Louverture, a former slave,
emerged as the revolution’s most prominent leader. His military and diplomatic skills enabled
the formerly enslaved population to defeat European forces. Historian John Henrik Clarke states,
“Toussaint Louverture's leadership transformed an enslaved population into an effective military
force capable of defeating the French, Spanish, and British” (Clarke, 179).

Louverture implemented strategic alliances to strengthen his position. He initially aligned

with the Spanish, who opposed the French, but later switched sides when France abolished
slavery in 1794. This maneuvering allowed him to consolidate power and gain support from
formerly enslaved people. In addition to Louverture’s leadership, guerrilla warfare tactics played
a critical role in countering the well-equipped colonial armies. Fuertes explains, “The use of
guerrilla warfare allowed Haitian forces to combat European armies with limited resources”
(Fuertes, 286). By using hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, and knowledge of the terrain, Haitian
forces were able to weaken and ultimately defeat their colonial oppressors.

After years of fighting, Louverture successfully established control over the colony, but
his vision for an autonomous Saint-Domingue under French rule conflicted with the ambitions of
his successor, Jean-Jacques Dessalines. In 1802, Napoleon Bonaparte sent a large expeditionary
force to reassert control over the colony. Louverture was eventually captured and deported to
France, where he died in prison. However, Dessalines continued the fight for full independence,
leading to Haiti’s final victory in 1804.

The Haitian Revolution had profound consequences for the institution of slavery and
colonial rule worldwide. It was the first instance of an enslaved population successfully
overthrowing its oppressors, proving that abolition was possible. John E. Baur writes, “The
success of the Haitian Revolution sent shockwaves throughout the Atlantic world, inspiring other
enslaved populations” (Baur, 394). Haiti’s independence in 1804 made it the first Black-led
republic and the second independent nation in the Americas after the United States.
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The revolution forced colonial powers to reconsider their policies on slavery. Robert J.
Reinstein states, “The Haitian Revolution reshaped the global discourse on slavery, forcing
colonial empires to reevaluate their practices” (Reinstein, 141). In the decades that followed,
abolitionist movements gained momentum, leading to the gradual eradication of slavery in other
parts of the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Haitian Revolution also had lasting effects on international diplomacy and economic
policies. The uprising intensified racial and political anxieties in Western countries, particularly
in France and the United States. Robert Shilliam notes, “The revolution intensified racial and
political anxieties, leading to strained relations between Haiti and Western powers” (Shilliam,
778). The United States, a nation built on slavery, feared that Haiti’s success would inspire
similar revolts, leading to a policy of economic isolation.

France also sought to punish Haiti for its independence. In 1825, Haiti was forced to pay
massive repatriations to France in exchange for diplomatic recognition. This debt crippled
Haiti’s economy for over a century, stifling its development and reinforcing economic
dependence on foreign powers. Despite these challenges, Haiti’s revolution set a precedent for
future struggles against colonial oppression.

The Haitian Revolution was a transformative event that challenged global power
structures and reshaped historical narratives on freedom and equality. The revolution emerged
from extreme social and economic injustices, was fueled by Enlightenment ideals and the French
Revolution, and succeeded through the leadership of figures like Toussaint Louverture and the
use of guerrilla warfare.

Ultimately, the Haitian Revolution had widespread effects on slavery, colonialism, and
international relations. It proved that enslaved people could successfully fight for their freedom
and established Haiti as a symbol of Black resistance. However, Haiti’s post-revolution
struggles, including economic isolation and foreign interference, highlight the continued
challenges faced by formerly colonized nations. As the first successful slave uprising that led to
an independent nation, the Haitian Revolution remains a symbol of resilience, resistance, and the
fight for human rights worldwide.
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Works Cited

1) Baur, John E. “International Repercussions of the Haitian Revolution.” The Americas,

vol. 26, no. 4, 1970, pp. 394–418. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/980183. Accessed 6
Feb. 2025.
2) Blackburn, Robin. “Haiti, Slavery, and the Age of the Democratic Revolution.” The
William and Mary Quarterly, vol. 63, no. 4, 2006, pp. 643–74. JSTOR,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/4491574. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
3) Clarke, John Henrik. “Toussaint-Louverture and the Haitian Revolution.” Présence
Africaine, no. 89, 1974, pp. 179–87. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24349711.
Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
4) Fuertes, Digna Castañeda. “The Haitian Revolution: Legacy and Actuality.”
International Journal of Cuban Studies, vol. 2, no. 3/4, 2010, pp. 286–300. JSTOR,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/41945908. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
5) Knight, Franklin W. “The Haitian Revolution.” The American Historical Review, vol.
105, no. 1, 2000, pp. 103–15. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2652438. Accessed 30 Jan.
2025.
6) Nicholson, Rebekah. "The Enlightenment and Its Effects on the Haitian Revolution of
1789-1804." ScholarWorks@GVSU | Grand Valley State University Research, Grand
Valley State University, scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1069&context=mcnair. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
7) Reinstein, Robert J. “Slavery, Executive Power and International Law: The Haitian
Revolution and American Constitutionalism.” The American Journal of Legal History,
vol. 53, no. 2, 2013, pp. 141–237. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23416458.
Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
8) Shilliam, Robert. “What the Haitian Revolution Might Tell Us about Development,
Security, and the Politics of Race.” Comparative Studies in Society and History, vol. 50,
no. 3, 2008, pp. 778–808. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/27563698. Accessed 6
Feb. 2025.