Saint Domingue: The Haitian Revolution

Before the revolution, Haiti, or Saint Domingue was an area of land with almost exclusively sugarcane plantations. So how could the majority black, enslaved, population rise up and win independence? Well, Despite the overwhelming oppression from France, the slave ridden colony of Saint-Domingue successfully gained their independence through great leaders, revolutionary thought and manpower. Saint Domingue was colonized by France, so inevitable the French Revolution had some impact on the colony. The waging revolution in France reached Saint Domingue, especially among the quasi affluent, mixed race mulattoes. The Rights of Man mentioned that “all men” are free and equal, but in 1790 white colonists walked this back, causing more unrest among
This is unfortunate, as at this time transitioning into revolution, some blacks took over running plantations, as seen here. “It turned out that a free man of color named Enard had “taken over the management of the plantation without anyone asking him to.” (Dubois 133) Although there was evidently a lot of turmoil in the free and enslaved population, two men, tried, but failed, to lead revolts. These men are Vincent Oge and Dutty Boukman. Vincent, was a mulatto plantation owner who was in Paris at the time of the breakout of the revolution. After some meetings in Paris, trying to think about Saint Domingue’s present state, he sailed to the island and militarized a few hundred men. After a few victories however, he was defeated by a larger group and was executed. Another influential, but more inspirational rather than a military leader, was Dutty Boukman. Boukman inspired many for a call to arms, and played a large part in the official beginning of the revolution in late summer, 1791. Both of these men however were somehow connected to the decree in May of 1791. Oge’s uprising preceded, and could have influenced the decree that granted minimal rights, while Dutty’s actions could have happened because of the decree. Dutty and his followers were celebrating, but were fighting for more rights in the months following the “Letter of the Abbe Gregoire.” The revolution is now underway, but who
This war was against equality for all, and reinforced slavery from mixed race blacks. Rigaud, a former ally, was out skilled and proved no match for Toussaint. As a result of this war however, Toussaint was named governor general in 1801. Another important result of this, is that Toussaint proclaimed himself dictator essentially, with the constitution of 1801, a constitution that heavily angered Napoleon Bonaparte, a man whose inherent imperialistic nature forced him to have his eyes set on Saint Domingue. Napoleon cannot believe that a land of slaves and quasi citizens could’ve done this, and that the country he took over allowed it. He is so furious he writes, "Toussaint...this gilded African...I will not rest until I have torn the epaulettes off every nigger in the colonies...Toussaint L'Ouverture has chosen a course of action which is quite impossible and that which the Metropole considers most intolerable. At this time, they don't even wish to discuss the matter further, these black leaders, these ungrateful and rebellious Africans." This is a testament to his anger and shows why he invaded Toussaint’s land. The slaves were smart, and were aware of Napoleon’s forced invasion as an inevitable failure, and even mocked the invaders, “They referred to the newly arrived whites who often