Haitian Revolution 1791-1804

Haitian Revolution 1791-1804

The Haitian Revolution is also called the Saint Domingue Slave Rebellion.

When Did the Haitian Revolution Begin?

The revolt of the slaves on Saint Domingue (today's Haiti), begun on the night of August 22 to 23, 1791.

The plantation owners turned to England for help, whereas Spain (who occupied the right half of Hispaniola) was aiding the slaves.

The outcome of this slave uprising had an effect on all European colonies, and it played a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

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Who Were the Leaders of the Haitian Revolution?

Jean-François and Georges Biassou, Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Alexandre Pétion, Henry Christophe

Who Were the Maroons?

Originally, the term maroon referred to fugitive or runaway slaves, then ex-slaves, mainly in Suriname and the West Indies.

Later, the term was also used to refer to a descendant of such a slave.

The word maroon might or might not derive from the Spanish cimarrón, meaning wild or savage.

The Haitian Revolution Builds

In October 1790, the wealthy mulatto Vincent Ogé and Jean-Baptiste Chavannes started an uprising, also known as the Mulatto Revolt. It was crushed with the quickness and at the end of November 1790, Oge was captured.

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On May 11, 1791, before the National Constituent Assembly, Lafayette spoke in favor of abolition of the slave trade.

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On May 13, 1791, the National Constituent Assembly decreed the continuation of slavery, at the discretion of the colonists.

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The Haitian Revolution Takes Its Course

The law of April 4, 1792, concerning the French colonies, decreed that "Men of color and free negroes are admitted to vote in every parish assemblies, and are eligible to all places."

But on Saint Domingue this law was largely ignored.

To address this issue, France sent a commission of three representatives, Léger-Félicité Sonthonax, Etienne Polverel and Jean-Antoine Ailhaux (or Ailhaud).

On August 29, 1793, Sonthonax declared the emancipation of the slaves.

But apparently, Sonthonax soon tried to abuse his power for his own gain, and in 1797, Toussaint sent him home.

On February 3, 1794, a committee from Saint Domingue (Louis-Pierre Dufay de la Tour, white, Jean-Baptiste Mills, of mixed race, and Jean-Baptiste Belley, black) is allowed before the Convention at Paris.

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Jean-Baptiste Belley in 1797. First portrait of a black man in the position of a western legislator.

Jean-Baptiste Belley in 1797

First portrait of a black man in the position of a western legislator.

Belley leans against a marble bust of Abbé Guillaume Thomas de Raynal,

a French philosopher known for his opposition to violence and his anti-slavery views.

In the background we see the landscape of the mountains in the north of

Saint Domingue near Cape French and even white smoke from a sugar refinery

and the sea on the horizon.

Oil on canvas by Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson

Versailles, Photo RMN / © Gérard Blot

At this occasion, the deputy of Eure-et-Loir, Jean-Francois Lacroix, asked for permission to get emotional:

Since a long time, the Assembly wanted at its bosom men of color, who were oppressed for so many years. Today, it has two. I ask that their introduction is marked by the fraternal embrace of the president.

Jean-François Lacroix, who lived 1753-1794. Deputy of Eure-et-Loir from 1791-1794

Jean-François Lacroix, who lived 1753-1794

Deputy of Eure-et-Loir from 1791-1794

Assemble-Nationale.fr

Everyone cheered, the three deputies from Saint Domingue approached the president of the National Convention, Marc Guillaume Vadier. Put on the spot, Vadier received the deputies with a fraternal kiss, after which the meeting hall again applauded and cheered.

Under applause and shouts of Vive la république! Vive la Convention! Vive la Montagne! the two deputies of color are successively embraced by all members of the Convention.

Marc Vadier, who lived 1736-1828. President of the French National Convention from January 20, 1794, to February 4, 1794.

Marc Vadier, who lived 1736-1828

President of the French National Convention

from January 20, 1794, until February

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