Haitian revolution Flashcards
Who started the Haitian revolution?
Boukman, a Jamaican slave who fled to St. Domingue.
When did the Haitian revolution begin?
The Haitian revolution began in 1791.
Where did the Haitian revolution begin?
In the North of St. Domingue which held 40% of the slave population.
Who else were involved in the revolution?
Henry Christophe, Baisson and Jean-Francois.
How was the revolution initiated?
A voodoo ceremony, presided by Boukman, was the initiation of the revolution.
How many slaves were involved in the revolution?
Approximately 100,000 slaves were involved.
What happened around the area of Cap Francais?
2000 whites were massacred, 180 sugar estates and 900 indigo and coffee plantations were destroyed and 10,000 slaves and mulattoes were killed.
Where did the revolt quickly spread to?
The south and east to Trou, Limonade and El Quartier Morin.
What were the leaders among the slaves referred to as?
They were referred to the Black Jacobins after a radical Jacobin club in France.
During this revolt who arose as the military leader?
Toussaint L’Ouverture.
When was Toussaint L’Ouverture born?
He was born in 1746, the eldest of eight children.
Where did Toussaint L’Ouverture work?
He worked on the Breda estate as a coachman(domestic).
What did Toussaint become knowledgeable in?
He became knowledgeable in Latin, French, Mathematics and learnt how to read and write from and older slave called Pierre Baptiste.
What else was Toussaint?
Toussaint was also a doctor.
Who did Toussaint help?
Toussaint helped his master’s family escape to the United States.
What title did Toussaint give himself?
Toussaint gave himself the title ‘ L’Ouverture ‘ or ‘ The opener of the way ‘ as he was the man who could break gaps in the enemy lines.
What was Toussaint also known as?
Toussaint was also known as a superb horseman and was referred to as: “The Centaur of the Savannas”.
What happened in 1793-1794?
Toussaint fought for the spanish in Santo Domingo, he trained an army of 4000 mercenaries and captured Northern St. Domingue for Spain. Since Spain wanted to reinstate slavery in 1794, Toussaint deserted Spain and recaptured Northern St. Domingue for the French Revolutionary army.
What happened in 1795-1798?
Toussaint defeated the alliance of the British army and the French planters, since his troops were better organized. The British army was also decimated by yellow fever.
What happened in 1798-1799?
While Northern St. Domingue was under his control, Toussaint turned against the coloureds who were his main rivals in the colony.
Who were the coloureds commanded by?
The coloureds were commanded by Andre Rigaud and A. Petion. They wanted to set up their own coloured republic in the South of St. Domingue, and they reinstated slavery.
In 1798-1799, who did Toussaint send to destroy the coloured forces?
Toussaint sent his two generals, Henry Christophe and Jacques Dessalines. Dessalines forces massacred over 10,000 coloureds and Andre Rigaud and A. Petion fled to France.
What happened in 1801-1802?
The defeat of the coloureds left Toussaint as the master of St. Domingue. He ruled the island from one end to another and wanted St. Domingue’s prosperity by building schools, roads, and public buildings.
