Revolution in the Americas: Haiti A slave revolt turns into a revolution.

Revolution in the Americas: Haiti

A slave revolt turns into a revolution

Viva Revolution

• Haiti’s slave revolt freed the country from French rule.

• It was influenced by the French and American revolutions

• This was the first time in the colonial era that slaves gained their independence through violence.

Haiti was France’s most valuable colony.

This is what made St. Domingue so valuable to the French…

Slaves provided the labor for all that sugar.

In 1791 a brilliant slave Toussant L’Ouverture led a revolt.

The Revolution was very violent.

Why? Haitian guerillas were taking vengeance on the French army for 2 centuries of oppression.

After fighting seven years, Haiti’s slaves won their freedom

(end of slavery).But not the country’s independence.

Napoleon sent troops to regain control over Haiti.

Toussaint was taken prisoner died in a French prison. But he still won.

Yellow fever destroyed the French army. Napoleon was forced to

withdraw his troops.

Napoleon gave up.Haiti was free. It was not recognized independent

country till 1820.

Dictators and trouble

• Since independence, Haiti has had strong leaders, but they did not help the people.

• During the 20th century, the Duvalier’s ruled the country with an iron fist.

Today

• Sadly, Haiti is today the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

• The 2010 earthquake only made things worse

Activity

• We’ll read Toussant’s letter written from the prison in France.

• Answer questions

During the Haitian Revolution, Haitian guerillas took out their vengeance on the French army.

• In this activity, you will write a letter from the perspective of one of the Haitian guerillas.

• How do you think they felt about their years of oppression at the hands of the French?

• How does it feel to be free?