The Haitian Revolution T
OBJECTIVE
1. Assess the immediate and long-term effects of the Haitian Revolution. HE FRENCH Revolution had an ideological influence – ‘Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity’. The French Revolution was a contributing success as its principles of individual liberty and freedom of expression, equality before the law and security of property were applicable to all social groups in St Domingue. In addition, the natural rights of man and of the citizen were viewed as sacred and inalienable.
The grand blancs supported the revolution in France to the extent that it ensured they had greater power in running the colony and freedom of trade. They eventually gained control of the assembly in 1790 and excluded the mulattoes from participation. The power wielded by the grand blancs would end, as it was crushed by the small whites and the colonial authorities. The
grand blancs would soon turn their rage on the mulattoes, who had offered the other whites assistance in their defeat.
The mulatto revolt was led by Vincent Ogé. The mulattoes sought to gain rights (such as the right to vote) that were being refused by St Domingue’s Colonial Assembly. The number of fighters Ogé had at his disposal was quite limited and, as a result, he ended his fighting and fled to Santo Domingo. [He would be sent back to St Domingue, where he was executed]. The ensuing conflict between the mulattoes and the whites gave the enslaved Africans an opportunity to fight for their freedom. The revolt began under the leadership of Boukman. After the death of Boukman, François, Biassou and later Toussaint L’Ouverture continued the revolt.
Toussaint entered into an alliance with the French to defeat the Spanish and the British. Toussaint was seen as a superb strategist and tactician, as he continuously defeated enemies (French, British, Spaniards, coloureds) although outnumbered and outgunned. He served as a unifying force as he succeeded in creating a disciplined and efficient army out of a mob of slaves. Blacks were bound to Toussaint by loyalty, discipline and respect. He was also a good judge of ability, as he proved competent in choosing lieutenants. Toussaint recognised the abilities of Dessalines and Christophe and could delegate responsibility. He was also an opportunist, as he changed sides when necessary. For example, desertion of the Spanish in 1794 when the English looked dangerous, and breaking with France in 1801 when Napoleon’s imperial ambitions were putting an end to the gains made under the revolutionary Jacobins.
Toussaint formed an alliance with the Spanish and was able to gain control over the entire north of St Domingue, except for Le Cap. The British, who were fearful of the spread of slave rebellion and French radicalism, invaded St Domingue in 1793. By the end of the year, two-thirds of the colony were either in Spanish or British hands. Toussaint would later end his alliance with Spain.
EFFECTS OF THE REVOLUTION – IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON HAITI
Emancipation of the populace – Haiti became the first free black/coloured state in the Caribbean. It became a magnet and refuge for other emancipators and revolutionaries, for example, Alexandre Pétion’s aid to Simón Bolívar in 1816.
ECONOMIC DEVASTATION
1) Division of lands - Sugar plantations were divided into coffee and ground food small holdings. This proved socially advantageous but was economically disastrous, as the main production crop was impacted. For instance, sugar production fell from 163 million pounds in 1791 to 1.8 million pounds in 1818.
2) Significant damage to farm lands – The conflict resulted in severe damage to dams and the country’s irrigration system. This had the resultant effect of damaging agricultural lands.
LONG-TERM IMPACT ON HAITI
1) Devastation of local economy – The economy never again returned to its pre-1791 prosperity. The economy was not only affected by problems within the agricultural sector, but also by external factors. The French and the Americans instituted a ban on commercial trade with the new republic. Additionally, France outlined that it would have to receive compensation for French enslavers who lost property during the revolution; it was only at this point that it (France) would recognise Haiti’s independence. By 1825, Haiti completed negotiations with France to pay a compensation package of 150 million francs – an act that stifled the young republic economically.
2) Political instability – The revolution made every Haitian a politician and legitimised usurpation and force. After 1818, instability and dictatorship marked Haiti’s history.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON THE CARIBBEAN
1) Sympathetic revolts – The revolution inspired sympathetic revolts in Jamaica (Maroons), St Vincent (Black Caribs), and Grenada (Fédon) in 1795.
2) Rise in sugar prices – following the loss of St Domingue’s sugar production, the British Caribbean prospered temporarily.
3) Emigrés expertise – The planters of St Domingue fled to Jamaica, Cuba and Puerto Rico. They brought their expertise in coffee production, for instance, to islands such as Jamaica.
4) Santo Domingo/Dominican Republic – After suffering various military invasions during the Haitian Revolution, Santo Domingo declared itself independent of Spain in 1821, only to be immediately annexed by Pétion’s successor, Jean Pierre Boyer, in 1822. The period of Haitian rule (1822-1844) was marked by a harsh anti-Spanish and anti-white policy. The period also witnessed continued economic decline even though there had been attempts to redevelop the cattle ranching and sugar sectors. The end result was a continued white exodus, further reducing Santo Domingo’s meagre population (half that of Haiti) and the creation of a largely mulatto populace.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON THE CARIBBEAN
Black inspiration – The successful outcome of the revolution and the prowess of its black heroes (particularly Toussaint) provided downtrodden enslaved Africans elsewhere in the Caribbean with pride and hope that they too could end, in their respective territories, the system of chattel slavery.