May 2, 2008 History 47 notes The Revolution and Race Revolution in the Caribbean Rousseau, On the Social Contract, Book 1 Largely intended to compare in readers' minds slaves to the states of subjects in absolute monarchy Can be read as condemnations of slavery Colony that became the Colony of Haiti First sovereign Black state that became recognized by the Europeans &quot;Be Free and Citizens!&quot; French duty to empancipate the world Carried to the Carribean Did impliment the Declaration of the Rights on Man Refused to apply it to non-whites <a href="/keyword/race-and-revolution/" >race and revolution</a> France and Saint Domingue Colonial Society in the 18th Century Enter the Revolution The Haitian Revolution Toussaint L'Ouverture Sonthonax and the Convention The New Regime Napoleon's Response Haitian Independence January 1, 1804 Saint Domingue Became republic of Haiti Was a trading and provisioning base for the Spanish Fleet On the French half of the island it was a settler and plantaion colony Most profitable of French colonies Cash ctrops Coffee, sugar, indigo Grown by slaves Imported to Saint Domingue directly from Africa Pictures of the French side hardly depicted any slavery and exploitation Cover for how wealth was being produced Population in 1780s 525000 divided Race Freedom Wealth Categories of people Grands Blancs= Big Whites Free and wealthy Big plantaion owners Petits Blancs= Little Whites White and free Less wealthy Emplyed by big whites as overseers of plantations Shop keeprs and sailors Gens de Couleur= free people of color In competition with the Little Whites for economic status Overseers, agents, artisan shopkeepers Not white but free Sometimes very wealthy Some were plantation owners Black Law Code Free Blacks had French citizenship Same status as whites But law and practice actually discriminated against them Special law codes on punishment Fine vs. loss of hand Slaves Not white, not free, propetyless Death rate out did the birth rate Population could only grow though importaion Population was about 90% of the island The Slavery debate in the National Assembly 1789-1790 intense lobbying by white planters about extension of rights to Blacks on any sort Maximilien Robespierre Antoine Barnave The Declaration of the Rights of Man does not extend to slavery Incompatible Wont outright say it because the point of the Declaration was to abolish slavery So they call slaves &quot;property&quot; Freed Blacks and allies in the NA Club/association called &quot;The Friends of the Blacks&quot; Condorcet, Robespierre Lobby to end slave trade Institute equal rights for Blacks Declare not to end slavery but to end slave trade and have free rights for Blacks From colonial lobby of Big Whites Left the issue of rights to the colonies and Colonial Assemblies Assemblies run by plantation owners Free Blacks not willing to give up Organize to take over or influence those Colonial assemblies Mocabra execution Already outlawed in France Popularized the cause of the Blacks in France NA equivocatied Declared the Decree of May 1791 Institute racial equality Applied to free adult males with property with were enfranchised free Big deal in Saint Domingue that Blacks could be at level with Whites Big Planters, Little Whites, and government representation Little Whites pissed off and rebelled against governemtn officials Violent Battle between the Free-Blacks and Little Whites left port of Cap Francios in ruins Slaves rebelled in the North August 22, 1791 Slaves wanted Had happened in the past All had been repressed quickly Different on the islant because the order was divided the Whties and Blacks were fighting each other Powers no longer in control and didn't act fast enough Grew too fast to be repressed Didn't have the forces to control it Developed 1791- White property inhabitants were held up leaders of the rebellions decided that rather than lose everything they would cut a deal sent message to authorities that they would end revolt and slaves would go back want freedom for selves and followers white authorities and Little Whites prevented this deal refused to negotiate with the rebel captains did not consider any contracts with the laves binding so for own protection they could not negotiate that type of deal only total victory wouldprotect them complete conquest new society Toussain L'Ouverture Key leader Abolition of slavery and independene Born in Saint Domingue 47 at the time father was an overseer recived some schooling had some responsible positions on the position livestock steward aware of the diplomatic situation in the Carribean Britian, France, Spain Weakness of authorities prompted him to join Broke away from other leaders Realized that he needed to prepare his troops to fight the European troops Spain invaded the island British arrived and conquered it Sept 1793 Time of &quot;The Terror&quot; in France Leon-Felicite Sonthonax Sent to organize the defense of the island Knew to defend the colony he needed to use the slave army Decreed emancipation of the slaves Close associate of Rousseau Member of the Friends of the Blacks Club Pushing for the freedom of Blacks On the island for a year before publishing emancipation decree Did it after the british island Did it for defense After that Sent decree to delegation 1 white, 1 man of color, 1 slave Jean-Baptiste Belley- the slave Convinced delegation of enfoce decree To retain colony and outdo Brisish Feb 4, 1794- Emancipation of the Slaves France at war with Britain and unable to send troops to the island 1797 recognized as commander in chief abolish slavery regime regardless of race and status wanted planters to return regardless of race defend property of freemen of color rebuild damaged plantation economy multiracial community many colored people didn't agree many used to mixed economy of hunting and trading wanted to return to that plantation work was hard wanted to continue plantation it was profitable do it for the Blacks as well Decreed Militarization of Labor Oct 12, 1800 Not slaves 3 year contracts then can change employers overseers could not use whip owners were to give religion, education, healthcare governemtn was supposed to ensure that owners obeyed was the employer confiscated the plantation of absentee plantation owners used the grants of the plantations to pay subordinates so government is not independent party and now it is implicated because their men are the owners push field labor back to how it was did bring back economy political stablilization exports picked up realized that lack of education government could not be a republic would restore rule of elite would be bad for freed slaves Made self Governer advisor for like Alexander Hamilton supported him Napoleon decided to reassert French domination on the island and to bring back slavery Married to Joesphine Beauharais Widow of a big plantation owner Slavery was essential to economy Racist Refused Black men and Black armies as potentially equal Later realized this was a huge mistake 1801 negotiated peace with Britain could send army to Caribbean without worrying about Britain reimpose slavery Sent army of 12,000 troops in January Civil war begins on the island ennulled decree April 27, 1802 Gobert General in charge of Guadeloupe Bad bad bad person-stupid culo Vicious Race war French army realized that they couldn't foce them back into slavery They would shout &quot;Live free or die&quot; Solution for Napoleon's generals Eliminate them Replace them with newly imported slaves from Africa Kill 500,000 people Vicious war on both sides Must eliminate all whites Must elininate all Blacks France got back Martinique and Guateloupe Lost Saint domingue Jan 1 Declared Independence of the Republic of Haiti Haiti Torn by civil war War lords L'O Egalitarian society Wanted multi racial society of equals Napoleon tried to bring Haiti to violence, political corruptionm and violence Revoliutionary ideas does not live on its own Shaped by other people French revolutionaries had no intention of giving rights to the Blacks Slaves were not inspired by Enlightenment Felt it was a weakening of the powers that oppressed them Ideas and goals grew as the revolt progressed Take advantage of political weakness and become legitimate