REVOLUTION Union Makes Strength Haitian Revolution The Haitian Revolution was a social and political upheaval in the French colony of Saint Domingue during 1791 - 1804.
This is one of the most significant and dramatic challenges to
European colonialism in the New World.
In fact, it is the only successful large-scale slave insurrection in
history and it is often seen as initiating the decline of the slave trade. A political map of Hispaniola St. Domingue prior to 1789 The 1695 Treaty of Ryswick between France and Spain gave the French a legal right to the Western part of Hispaniola called Saint Domingue. Economic features of St. Domingue before 1789 By 1788 there were 3000 coffee plantations, 800 sugar plantations, nearly 800 cotton and 2950 indigo plantations.
Economic features of St. Domingue before
1789 The colony supplied half of Europe with tropical produce. Economic features of St. Domingue before 1789 The world’s leading sugar producer.
Economic features of St. Domingue before 1789
The government introduced an ‘Exclusive System’. Under this system, whatever manufactured goods the colony needed they were compelled to buy from France. The goods were only to be
transported in French ships.
Social features of St. Domingue before 1789 Social features of St. Domingue before 1789 Grand Blancs - wealthy planters, often French aristocrats Petit Blancs - Government officials, managers, overseers, professionals, artisans
Coloured / Free blacks - Affranchis; owners of ⅓ land and of
many slaves but despised by whites and discriminated against.
Slaves - Owned and abused by whites and coloured alike,
Political features of St. Domingue before 1789 King Louis XVI Political features of St. Domingue before 1789 Officials sent from France governed St. Domingue.
The head of the government was the governor and the
intendant. The governor was the official representative of the King. Next to him was the intendant, who was responsible for justice, finance and general administration. Political features of St. Domingue before 1789 The grand blancs sought the opportunity to rule the colony themselves and for greater freedom of trade. The free coloured sought equality with the whites.
The slaves sought freedom
Food for the thought???
1. A) Which country is known as the Pearl of the Antilles?
B) Why was the country named above considered to be
the Pearl of the Antilles?
C) Do you think the country named in (A) is still
considered to be the Pearl of the Antilles? Explain.
Find the meaning of the following words:
Creole Frenchman African Colony Creole Black Colonialist
