April 3, 2017
The success of the American and the French Revolutions echoed through the people of the new and the old world. These events, powered by the Enlightenment ideas of popular sovereignty, individual freedom, and equality, proved that parting from powerful and oppressive rulers was possible.1 For the first time in recent history, the common man had united and fought for a republic based on the idea and practice of self-rule. This idea of fighting and revolting for independence traveled to slaves on the shores of a Caribbean island where the French had established the colony of Saint-Domingue in 1697.
Saint-Domingue was perhaps one of the most profitable lands that France had in its possession since it produced and exported coffee, indigo, tobacco, cotton, and sugar. The original aboriginal population of the islands had all but disappeared by the time the French had come to the island, and to make use of the colony, the French began to import slaves from Africa to work the fields. It is estimated that by 1789, the colony had a total of 500,000 African slaves, 35,000 white French settlers, and 50,000 colored freedmen who were French citizens and who also owned slaves.2 Despite slaves being the majority of the colony’s population, they lived under a strict and abusive social structure where they worked strenuous jobs under the threat of the whip, and would often starve to death. If runaway slaves were caught, they were often tortured and mutilated in order to dissuade other slaves that there was no escape from the chains of slavery. The daily life for the slaves of Saint-Domingue was one of fear and ill treatment.
French King Louis XIV established the “Code Noir” or Black Codes for the colony, which established rules for the treatment of slaves in all of its French American colonies. The code stated that slave owners were prohibited from sexually violating slaves or from torturing them, and they were required to provide food and clothes to the slaves. Nevertheless, slaves were regarded as property and could receive the death penalty if they did not comply with their masters.3
In 1788, fourteen slaves complained to the court that Nicolas Lejuene, a slave master’s son, would burn slaves alive, and although these acts were clearly violating the law, the courts and public opinion on the Island dismissed Lejuene and he was not prosecuted.4 This incident suggests that laws were not uniformly enforced in the colony, so masters had a free hand in their often atrocious treatments of their slaves. Many slaves ran away from their oppressive masters and hid in the mountains forming large communities of maroons. Their resentment to their French masters only escalated.5
With the ideas of political independence and social revolution circulating the world, slaves in the colony of Saint-Domingue were no longer willing to endure the treatment of their French masters. Tensions in the colony led to a violent uprising. The Haitian Revolution began in August 1791, when about 15,000 slaves destroyed and burned plantations and homes, and murdered white settlers in what was called the “Night of Fire.”6 This event encouraged the educated Catholic and former slave Toussaint L’Ouverture to join the cause. He helped train an army of 50,000 slaves in guerrilla warfare.7 The colony fell into chaos for years as the slaves revolted against French oppression in violent measures, and it was not long before the colony of Saint-Domingue was controlled by the slaves of the island.8
General L’Ouverture allied with the British in order to drive out the French settlers. But unwilling to let go of their colonial power, the French emancipated slaves in 1794; but they were still unable to secure and control the Haitian revolt. By 1803, L’Ouverture had proclaimed himself the governor of the colony, angering the powerful Napoleon Bonaparte who went after L’Ouverture, capturing and imprisoning him. This, however, did not weaken the resolve of the slaves to form an independent state. As Jean-Jacques Dessalines rose to power in the absence of Toussaint L’Ouverture, he ordered the gruesome execution of all Frenchmen in the colony. A year later, in 1804, Haiti was declared independent from French power.9
The slaves of Saint-Domingue were not expected to take on the example of the American colonies and the Enlightenment Era in order to fight for their independence. After the gory and terrible deaths of almost half the population in the colony–including French settlers, free black men and slaves–Haiti stood tall and free, shocking the world.10
Haitian Revolution
Toussaint L’Ouverture
Irene Astran
I wish you would have provided some background on how the aboriginal population just “disappeared.” Was this due to the French people killing them off? Seems plausible. Anyways, I found the “Code Noir” incredibly surprising. I did not know that there were any laws set in place that aimed to, in a small degree, protect slaves from being raped or tortured.
05/04/2017
11:52 am
Hayden Hollinger
I thought this was a very good topic. I enjoyed reading about the revolt of the slaves against the French, the article did a very good job of telling the story and the photos were an added bonus. It was interesting to learn about the “Code Noir” and the rules that were supposed to be enforced as a result of this. Of course, being from Scotland, I was happy to read that the British acted as allies with the slaves to drive out the French.
06/04/2017
11:52 am
Marissa Gonzalez
I would like to say that it is quite ironic how the “Code Noir” was introduced for how the slaves were treated. But if they did not listen to their masters, they could receive the death penalty! So they are basically feared and forced into obeying their masters. However, the Haitian Revolution came about and the “Night of Fire” took place. This is really interesting because the slaves were able to stand up and take action. Interesting article!
07/04/2017
11:52 am
Alexis Soto
Great topic ! I do not believe I knew much about Haiti or how it came to be a sovereign nation. It is a well written article. As I read the article I began to realize that perhapes many of us forget that our nation wasn’t the only one that imported slaves. It’s fascinating to see how events played out for the Haitian people. They fought for their freedom, against many odds.
07/04/2017
11:52 am
Teresa Valdez
This topic covers a subject that I am very interested in, but never hear about. Revolutions are always interesting topics. I did not know that during the time of the Haitian Revolution France was in control of the island. I find it fascinating that, although Europeans never intended it, slaves were responded to the Enlightenment, proving they were not just property. This article seems very well researched. Great job!
07/04/2017
11:52 am
Briana Bustamante
Such a great article that was very well written. Your article flowed nicely and I was even able to create a visual. I really like the pictures that you chose, they gave your story a deeper understanding. Reading about the slaves revolting against the French was very interesting. The “Code Nior” always interested me so reading more about them. Over all, very great read!
07/04/2017
11:52 am
Samuel Sanchez
This was an interesting article, very well written. I never knew about Haiti and what it has gone through. After reading this article about the slaves revolting against the French shows that it has been through a lot. Learning about the “Code Noir” it is ironic that they were made for slaves to be treated as property but if they did not follow orders they were given the death penalty. Overall, great article keep up the great work.
08/04/2017
11:52 am
Gabriela Medrano
Haiti was off on a rough start and throughout years has undergone tragedy after tragedy. But I am glad that the slaves were courageous enough to revolt against the French. Time and time again British interaction has done some nations good and Haiti was one of the fortunate, so I’m glad the British allied with the slaves. No lie they shocked the world! Who would have thought this possible. Interesting topic and good article!
13/04/2017
11:52 am
Aaron Jaramillo
What an interesting article Ana. It was well written and had a great flow to it. I never knew how Haiti came about or its history. In the beginning the slaves were pushed around and treated unfair by the French. It is always nice to hear that the slaves come together and revolt against the French. This gave hope to all other slaves around the world that they too can revolt. Once again great article Ana.
24/04/2017
11:52 am
Zaraly Frasquillo
Yes! Yes! Yes! What an interesting and eye-catching article Ana! You never fail to enlighten me with cool topics that I would have never really learned about unless you were the one talking about it. You have such an amazing tone all throughout your essay, and the images you posted are incredible. My personal favorite is the last one, slaves executing French Soldiers, I promise I am not a killer but for some reason having the roles be reversed is super fascinating! Great job, I am proud of you friend!
05/04/2017
11:52 am