The Haitian Revolution: Two Revolutions Converge and Its Global Impact

A set of flashcards addressing key concepts from the Haitian Revolution, including causes, major figures, foreign involvement, timelines, and global significance.

What are the two revolutions that converge to form the Haitian Revolution?

The enslaved rebellion in Saint-Domingue and the aims of free people of color seeking inclusion and rights within the French Republic.

When did the slave rebellion in Saint-Domingue begin, and what is it famously called?

1791, known as the Forty Days of Fire.

Who was Toussaint L'Ouverture and why is he significant in the Haitian Revolution?

A formerly enslaved, educated leader (a bookbinder by trade) who became the top political and military figure, leading abolition and alliance with revolutionary France and Spain at different times.

Which foreign power aided early in the rebellion by crossing into the colony, and later shifting alliances?

Spain (from the neighboring colony of Santo Domingo); they helped the rebels before aligning with the French and contributing to their rise.

In what year was slavery officially abolished in Saint-Domingue as part of the Haitian Revolution?

1793.

Which leader declared Haiti’s independence and established the first Black Republic in 1804?

Jean-Jacques Dessalines.

What symbolic event marked the creation of the Haitian flag and rejection of the French flag?

Dessalines cut the white from the French flag and Haitians sewed their own flag, signaling independence.

What was Napoleon’s response to the Haitian Revolution?

He sought to reimpose slavery and commanded a large invasion (Leclerc in 1802) to reclaim Saint-Domingue.

What role did Dessalines play after Toussaint L'Ouverture’s leadership period?

He became the commanding general and led the drive to defeat the French invasion, ultimately declaring independence in 1804.

What was the impact of the Haitian Revolution on the concept of citizenship and race?

It asserted universal rights and citizenship beyond white Europeans, inspiring abolitionist thought and challenging racial hierarchies.

What were the main weapons of the early slave rebellion, and how did the rebels eventually stay competitive?

Early use of machetes and torches; later gains came from acquiring guns and training, often aided by external powers like Spain.

Who were the Black Jacobins and why is the term used?

Free people of color in Saint-Domingue who supported or joined the revolution and connected with the French Revolution; the term signals their political alignment.

How did the Haitian Revolution affect enslaved people in the Caribbean and the United States?

It provoked fear among enslavers, leading to harsher repression and crackdowns on slavery elsewhere in the region.

What is the significance of Haiti in the broader anti-slavery and anti-colonial narrative?

Haiti demonstrated that slavery could be overthrown, redefined citizenship, and stood as a strong symbol against colonial oppression in the Western Hemisphere.

What military and strategic factors contributed to Haiti’s success against Napoleonic forces?

Guerrilla warfare, the determination to resist reenslavement, and the death toll from disease among French troops, along with diverse soldiers joining the Haitian side.