The Haitian Revolution 1791 - 1804

PBS Documentary Titled - Egalite for All: Toussaint Louverture & The Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution (French: Révolution haïtienne [ʁevɔlysjɔ̃ ajisjɛ̃n]), was a successful anti-slavery and anti-colonial insurrection that took place in the former French colony of Saint-Domingue that lasted from 1791 until 1804. It affected the institution of slavery throughout the Americas. Self-liberated slaves destroyed slavery at home, fought to preserve their freedom, and with the collaboration of mulattoes, founded the sovereign state of Haiti. It led to the greatest slave uprising since Spartacus's unsuccessful revolt against the Roman Republic nearly 1,900 years prior.

The Haitian Revolution was the only slave uprising that led to the founding of a state free from slavery and ruled by non-whites and former captives. With the increasing number of Haitian Revolutionary Studies in the last few decades, it has become clear that the event was a defining moment in the racial histories of the Atlantic World. The legacy of the Revolution was that it challenged long-held beliefs about black inferiority and of the enslaved person's capacity to achieve and maintain freedom. The rebels' organizational capacity and tenacity under pressure became the source of stories that shocked and frightened slave owners.

François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture (French: [fʁɑ̃swa dɔminik tusɛ̃ luvɛʁtyʁ] 20 May 1743 – 7 April 1803), also known as Toussaint L'Ouverture or Toussaint Bréda, was the best-known leader of the Haitian Revolution. His military and political acumen saved the gains of the first Black insurrection in November 1791. He first fought for the Spanish against the French; then for France against Spain and Britain; and finally, for Saint-Domingue (modern Haiti)'s colonial sovereignty against Napoleonic France. He then helped transform the insurgency into a revolutionary movement, which by 1800 had turned Saint-Domingue, the most prosperous slave colony of the time, into the first free colonial society to have explicitly rejected race as the basis of social ranking.

Though Toussaint did not sever ties with France, his actions in 1800 constituted a de facto autonomous colony. The colony's constitution proclaimed him governor for life even against Napoleon Bonaparte's wishes. He died betrayed before the final and most violent stage of the armed conflict. However, his achievements set the grounds for the Black army's absolute victory and for Jean-Jacques Dessalines to declare the sovereign state of Haiti in January 1804. Toussaint's prominent role in the Haitian success over colonialism and slavery had earned him the admiration of friends and detractors alike.

Toussaint Louverture began his military career as a leader of the 1791 slave rebellion in the French colony of Saint-Domingue; he was by then a free black man and a Jacobin. Initially allied with the Spaniards of neighboring Santo Domingo (modern Dominican Republic), Toussaint switched allegiance to the French when they abolished slavery. He gradually established control over the whole island and used political and military tactics to gain dominance over his rivals. Throughout his years in power, he worked to improve the economy and security of Saint-Domingue. He restored the plantation system using paid labour, negotiated trade treaties with Britain and the United States, and maintained a large and well-disciplined army.

In 1801, he promulgated an autonomist constitution for the colony, with himself as Governor-General for Life. In 1802 he was forced to resign by forces sent by Napoleon Bonaparte to restore French authority in the former colony. He was deported to France, where he died in 1803. The Haitian Revolution continued under his lieutenant, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who declared independence on January 1, 1804. The French had lost two-thirds of forces sent to the island in an attempt to suppress the revolution; most died of yellow fever.

For centuries now, the Dorn Savanna has been the lifeline for the Massai people. Until today, they refuse to get involved in the constant upheavals in Kenya and instead continue to cultivate their traditions. The Massai have lived in the border region between Tanzania and Kenya for hundreds of years; almost completely removed from all civilization. In some ways their remoteness has spared them from many ordeals. But on the other hand, this autarkical life can be problematic, especially when it comes to the education of their children.

This is also the case in the Massai village Kasiole. 12 families live in the village. Each hut has two rooms and in each one there lives a family with at least 5 children. Here, there is no space for a school, and needless to say, there are also no teachers. Therefore the children from Kasiole must walk for hours each morning to get to school. Most of the children stay at home and tend the cattle. Many parents are afraid to send their children off on the 10 kilometers long way to school right trough the savanna.
4am. Before going off to school the nightwatch is the task at hand. 8 year old Moseka guards the family's cows and goats. Sometime wild animals sneak into the village at night – a threat to everyone.
When dawn sets in at around 6, the Maasai village Kasiole comes to life. Moseka's nightwatch ends – and his way to school begins.

Students like Moseka from all across the region are setting off this morning on their way to the only school far and wide. Moseka`´s mother worries. In the last few days elefants often visited the area – the Massai consider them to be one of the most dangerous species in wilderness. His mother warns him once again about the possible dangers along the way.
The first kilometres take the children through the burning hot savanna, and this without any water. The family does not have the means to afford a drinking bottle. Their route takes them pass amazing landscapes, and also different Massai villages, some of them already deserted and some just newly built. Through their way of life, it makes no sense for the Massai to build large houses. They will only live 2 to 3 years in them and are built traditionally with walls made from cow manure and straw covered roofs. Only a few children join them from the other villiages, although in Kenya schooling is mandatory, but not enforced by anyone.

The way to school lead Moseka and his friend through the leopards valley – infamous for roaming predators. The Kenyan savanna is a huge open air zoo with an incredible diversity of species. Seen from the perspective of parents who send their children to school every day, it is an unfenced zoo, though. An open space whre the natural law of eat or be eaten is part of every day life. It takes a bit of courage to go to school here.
The students destination: The Ntuka Primary School. The only school within a radius of about 20 kilometers. Often they are too late, but the teacher understands, he is aware of the long school route.

Dr. Molefi Asante discusses his dream for a United States of Africa, a movement begun by Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president. He will examine the prospect for an African Renaissance based on the idea of an African Federative Union and present the prospects and problems of a continental government in Africa.

Essex County College's Africana Institute's Garvey/Nkrumah Lecture Series from 2014 featuring Dr. Leonard Jeffries. Created by the Essex County College Media Production & Technology Center.