At a grand moment in modern history, the first independent black republic was birthed. "On August 22, 1791, the Haitian war of independence began in flames under the leadership of a religious leader named Boukman; over one hundred thousand slaves rose up against the vastly outnumbered and infinitely hated …show more content…
French," (The Haitian Revolution). There were many more slaves in the Haitian Revolution than in the American Revolution, which resulted in more involvement and dedication from the blacks for what they believed they were owed. The sugar and coffee plantations that supported the colonial economy required vast imports of slaves. The slaves, majority of who were owned for most of their lives, ran the French slave-owners out of the country by burning the plantations and even executing them. These actions gave the slaves power and the ability to enforce their culture and government in the land.
Under the leadership of Toussaint, Haiti remained a French territory.
During this time, the Island's government and military were in control of the political, economic and social aspects of the Island. Once Toussaint died, the Island was reinvaded by the French. The new leaders of Haiti were discontented with the slavery taken place in the Island and were determined for slavery to be abolished upon the land. "The war fought between Leclerc and Dessalines was, on both sides, one of the most horrifying struggles in history. Both resorted to atrocities," (The Haitian Revolution). In November of 1803, Haiti was finally an official republican. Once made official, it inspired movements that were already started but not completed to move rapidly and end slavery in North America. [The Haitian Revolution, DIASPORA/HAITI] WHERE THOSE PARAGRAPHS IDEAS ARE
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The Haitian Revolution had a tremendous impact on the U.S. Revolution. The U.S. was afraid that whites would be harmed or run out as in Haiti, and that slaves would no longer allow themselves to be oppressed and ill-treated. The U.S. was also concerned because commercial supply from their relationships with the plantations would be affected. The U.S. tried to take over Haiti, and once they failed they discontinued all trade from the plantations. "As the years progressed Haiti only became a bigger target for scorn amongst the pro-slavery factions in the south. It was modeled as an example that violence was an inherit part of the character of blacks due to the slaughtering of French whites, and the authoritarian rule that followed the end of the revolution," (U.S. Reaction to the Haitian Revolution).
Although Haiti is now a republic island, other islands, like Martinique, are not. Guadeloupe and Martinique are still French territories, but have their own privileges as if self-governed such as flying freely in and out of the country. The optimistic side to Haiti being self-governed and independent is they set their own standards around their social environment. However, the pessimistic side shows that Haiti is not as wealthy as other islands that are owned by France, even if they enjoy their separation from France. These islands that are not independent are recognized more as vocational spots because of the cultural differences on the islands due to the dominance of their French heritage.
As a result of the abolition in Haiti, leading to decolonization, there have been important consequences for the rest of the world. There have been other slave uprisings, and the abolition of slavery soon followed in most of the region, particularly the USA. For Haiti, decolonization is a direct result of their claiming "no more slavery" for themselves compared to other islands, like Martinique, that would have waited until France declared the abolition of slavery.
Can you give statistics to support this claim that more slaves were in Haiti than in the US?