Haitian Revolution
Homework: Blog Post Blog must be posted with response
by Thursday, 2-22 at 10pm
Write as one of the following: Louverture, a grand blanc, a gen de coleur, a
former slave, or Napoleon. Discuss the
successes and failures of the
Haitian Revolution and respond to at least ONE other characters position.
Respond as one of the following based on your last name:
Louverture (A - F)
A Grand Blanc (G - K)
A Gen de Coleur (L - P)
A Former Slave (Q - T)
Napoleon (U - Z)
Overall, as a Grand Blanc, I am extremely upset with the path that the Haitian Revolution took throughout its course from 1791 to 1804. The product of this revolution was one of the most absurd and unrighteous acts that ever occured on French territory. Slaves were imported to Saint-Domingue in order to work for their superiors: white plantation owners like myself. The slave population increased dramatically over the years; however, that does not give the slaves any right to overthrow their superiors. On my plantation, I used many slaves in order to produce sugar, the most prosperous cash crop on the island of Hispaniola. However, the large amounts of sugar that were demanded needed workers in order to grow, take care of, and cultivate the plant. Slaves had to work long, hard hours (and even longer hours during harvests) and were punished severely for not following directions, but isn’t that the entire purpose of slavery? Isn’t it the fundamental reason we brought slaves from Africa to Saint-Domingue, to provide labor for the plantation owners so as to promote our economy? Admittingly, I was not in full support of the idea of having all of the colony’s sugar exports and overall products brought to France: I wanted more sovereignty on our island so as to sell our products for the highest price, not necessarily support my mother country. The idea of slaves being able to accomplish such a feat without the assistance of their owners is mind-boggling. If the colony could have obtained autonomy in the hands of plantation owners like myself so as to control the local parts of the island, then I would have considered the rebellion a success. Unfortunately, this did not happen, and slaves eventually found themselves ruling the area in the conclusion of the revolution. When Toussaint L’Ouverture rose to lead the slave rebellion, I was becoming more frightened because of his growing number of supporters who were slaves; his capture and imprisonment by Napoleon’s forces was an action I supported. To my dismay, taking out the leader of the revolution did not eliminate the entire rebellion force, and it continued taking over Saint-Domingue. Revolutionary forces attacked and destroyed many of the properties owned by plantation owners including my own plantations, which destroyed my economic prosperity by eliminating my business to sell product to France. Additionally, many Grand Blancs and other white people in the colony were killed by revolutionary slaves. When the slaves declared their independence from France, “Haiti” was still met with outside resistance garnered by France and some internal problems from the whites who still remained, but they were able to overcome such dilemmas and become the first and only successful slave revolt, an idea that I despise. Overall, I feel that the Haitian Revolution was not successful because my class, the Grand Blancs (the white plantation owners), did not benefit from the revolt at all. In fact, my class had our colonial holdings and plantations attacked and destroyed by the slave disruptions, lost economic prosperity and high social class, were overthrown by inferiors, and, most importantly, many Grand Blancs lost their lives.
ReplyDeleteGrand Blanc/JJ Janosik
As the consul of France during the time that the Haitian Revolution took place, I definitely agree with your generally negative view of the Haitian Revolution. I too believe that the Grand Blanc casualties were major tragedies and that the abolition of slavery, no matter how great for the slaves, was a massive failure for both the Grand Blancs and France. However, I do not agree with your wish that the colony had obtained autonomy for the increase of the Grand Blancs' power because I should hold absolute power over the French colonies. If this had happened, which you would consider a success, I would consider this a failure of the Revolution. We consider the Revolution as having many failures, but there are successes that should be acknowledged. They were inspired by the French Revolution, which is a success in itself because I too believe in the ideals of the French Revolution, as should you. However, overall, I agree with your negative view of the Haitian Revolution because the Grand Blancs and France (me) suffered great losses because of the Haitian Revolution's supposed success of gaining independence.
Delete- Napoleon/Angela Zhang
As Napoleon Bonaparte, the consul of France from 1799 to 1815, I believe that the Haitian Revolution was a absolute betrayal to my reign and a significant loss for France. In discussing successes and failures, I find it difficult to acknowledge that the Haitian Revolution was successful in any way (for me) from my point of view. The colony provided wealth and products for France, and its independence ended those benefits for my nation. However, I can see how a success of the Revolution would be the inspiration the Haitian rebels drew from the French Revolution and Enlightenment, the ideas of which I agree with (in theory). They embodied what I supported in the French Revolution (equality, liberty, and fraternity) although I admit that I violated many of those principles during my own reign (which I did for the sake of empire building/strengthening). Another success I can acknowledge is Toussaint's use of his followers to continue the sugar trade, which he thought was necessary to finance the fight against my reign. I understand where he came from since I thought it was necessary as well, which is why I reestablished slavery in French colonies to support my rule. There are few successes that I am willing to acknowledge for the Haitian Revolution, but there are many failures that I am more than willing to highlight. First of all, the failure of white plantation owners and superiors alike to end beginning slave rebellions was one of the most costly failures of the Revolution. It gave power to the Haitians that eventually undermined my rule as well. I also consider the countless French casualties as a result of paranoid Haitians a failure of the Revolution because the Haitians managed to overpower my forces and people, which is a great shame and tragedy. Another failure of the Haitian Revolution, a French failure that I am angered to admit, is the defeat that the French experienced at the Battle of Vertieres. With this embarrassing defeat, the Haitians were able to declare independence soon afterwards, also abolishing slavery. This freed one of the most profitable French colonies I had, which is the most massive failure that I experienced with the Haitian Revolution. Characteristic of my reign, conquest was one of my major goals for which I needed economic support from the French colonies. The Haitian Revolution was a huge failure from my point of view, but I can stand to acknowledge some of its successes that align with my own ideals and actions.
ReplyDelete-Napoleon/Angela Zhang
As an elite in society, I, a Grand Blanc, can relate to many of the ideas that you presented. The Haitian Revolution was not successful for the upper class like you and me. My plantations and workers produced a plentiful amount of product that aided in our nation’s economic growth, and with my plantations destroyed from the revolution, our nation’s economy will be hurt. Admittingly, I believe in a few Enlightenment ideas myself, particularly that of liberty, but my intentions with such ideas are not ideas that you would support. I wanted more local autonomy in the colony and freedom from certain French restrictions in order to increase the revenues from my plantation products by selling them in various areas to people who would pay more than the price that France would offer me. Additionally, such ideas would give more profit and power, as my economic prosperity would grow, and my elite status would most likely bring me up into high leading positions with local autonomy. I don’t necessarily agree with Toussaint’s call for his followers to continue sugar production, as his revolution eliminated my position in the colony’s economy, and the sugar production from the former slaves would not promote my own economic prosperity. Also, if Grand Blancs and other whites could have stopped the revolution, we would have; we are not the only ones to blame. Whites like myself were rightfully oppressing slaves and using slaves like they were intended to do. How else did you want us to prevent slave revolts? They are not our social equals so we wouldn’t want to promote their social status. Oppression seemed like our best method. Whites, and especially Grand Blancs like myself, lost almost all of our establishments and sources of wealth, so we did everything we could to attempt to prevent such losses from occuring. Unfortunately, the revolution was not prevented. Perhaps the next step should be for France to attempt to reconquer the island once again and give back the white planters the land and property that was stolen from them by the former slaves.
DeleteGrand Blanc/JJ Janosik
As a former slave, the Haitian Revolution was one of the best things that has happened to me. We were constantly mistreated by the French, and we were living in extremely poor conditions. This revolution was a chance for us to stand up for what we believe in and to take down the corrupt leaders that treated us so poorly. We were able to receive full freedom and independence from the French. Due to the great support coming from the leaders of this revolution, especially Toussaint L’Ouverture, we were really able to rally and get excited about our path to freedom. Another pro that came out of this revolution was that we did not have to work in the sugar, tobacco, and the cotton fields where we were worked by the French to our full capability, straining our bodies and our minds. Furthermore, our revolution sparked many other slave communities to begin their own revolutions in search of their own freedom. I believe that all men are created equal and that it is completely unacceptable for someone to be owned by another human being. It was inspiring to see that other slaves also began to fight for their freedom and their human rights. It is truly amazing that our success in this revolution has made a huge difference throughout the world. However, there were also several negative outcomes that resulted. For one thing, it led to France selling their Louisiana territory to the United States which caused an increase in the amount of slaves in the United States. Hopefully in the future, these slaves will be able to begin a revolution for themselves to fight for their freedom, just like what we did against the French. The other negative outcome was the embargo that the United States put on Haiti. The embargo really hurt Haiti economically. This embargo also had to do with the United States wanting to keep their slaves and not give them the idea that they could rise up just as we did. I say, freedom and independence for all!
ReplyDeleteFormer Slave/Erik Till
As the Consul of France, I disagree and agree with some of the statements you've made. I agree with the values of equality and liberty, however, I was not initiating that hard enough because my empire and my country came first. Though I agree with you, I do disagree with your opinions on slavery, as I know you were a former slave. I re-institutued slavery for the better of the French economy, and it gave jobs. As a slave, you were a worker, it may not have been the best way to be employed, but it was still a job and you were getting wages, despite the way slavery was dealt with. I only did it for the economy and my empire, I wanted France to grow as powerful and prosperous it could, and that meant with the new constitution of slaves, the battle with L'Ouverture, and selling territory to the United States.
DeleteNapoleon Bonaparte / Kate Wong
As a grand blanc, I strongly disagree with you and the actions of the slaves. The prosperous crops we produced in the sugar and coffee plantations made this colony prosperous, wealthy, and valuable. After the slave revolts, not only did you take away those plantations from me and other grand blancs, but you took away our privileges, our wealthy, and our rights with the French government. The results of your revolts made our economy go into complete turmoil and caused fear for many landowners as well. The French government believed that you guys deserved better conditions on the plantations when it shouldn't have been the government's concern at all on what our own businesses . Although you gained advantages from the Haitian Revolution, I did not benefit from it at all.
DeleteGrand Blanc/ Hannah Hu
As Toussaint Leoverture , I am very glad we have the same feelings about the Haitian Revolution as I did. Just like you, I was also a former slave and only we realize the struggles that we had to endure. We were able to abolish slavery, naming all men equal. We together as a nation were also able to become the first independent black republic, which is definitely an accomplishment that should be celebrated around the world. Although I hoped this revolt could've gone more peacefully, especially with the burning of the plantations (humanity is something that should be preserved), I am glad that the ultimate mission of freedom and liberty has now been achieved for the slaves and hope that other countries who follow the same terrible practice rebel and agree with our mission. Equality must be for all.
Delete- Toussaint Louverture/Nikolai Apilado
As Toussaint Louverture, I thank you for your support of my rule. I believe that every human being should be equal, regardless of race. Because everyone is equal, there should be no reason how one race can enslave another race, hence the reason why I have tried so hard to abolish slavery in France.
DeleteToussaint Louverture/ Tiffany Fung
I disagree with your viewpoints on the Haitian Revolution. I do not think the revolution was beneficial to me in any way for various reasons. You mentioned that former slaves did not have to work on the sugar, tobacco, and cotton fields anymore, Not only did you kill white plantation owners, burn down colonial holdings and homes like uncivilized animals, thousands of innocent citizens and whites that were friendly towards African slaves were murdered. In parallel to the mass killings, torture, imprisonment, and rape also occurred.
DeleteGrand Blanc/Michelle Jiang
*Sorry, please disregard my last comment.*
DeleteI disagree with your viewpoints on the Haitian Revolution. I do not think the revolution was beneficial to me in any way for various reasons. You mentioned that former slaves did not have to work on the sugar, tobacco, and cotton fields anymore, but the Haitian economy depends on these crops. If you’re not going to work on the fields and cultivate these crops that are in heavy demand by the Old World, then who will? Also, not only did you kill white plantation owners, burn down colonial holdings and homes like uncivilized animals, thousands of innocent citizens and whites that were friendly towards African slaves were murdered. In parallel to the mass killings, torture, imprisonment, and rape also occurred.
Grand Blanc/Michelle Jiang
I am Napoleon Bonaparte, I marched into Paris and took France consul from 1799 to 1815. Regards to the Haitian Revolution which was led by the French Revolution, strongly disagree with how it went; as known, I did not succeed in the Haitian Revolution, for Overture defeated me. However, in the Haitian Revolution, I managed to have multiple successes, as well as a slew of failures to accommodate for my great successes. One success I had with the Haitian Revolution was through the values of equality, liberty, and fraternity; which were also values during the French Revolution. These values were then sought out in the Haitian Revolution, however, little did I take part in to help create such rules. I did not stick to such values because I felt that they weren't helping me build a strong empire, which I needed. Another success was conquering Egypt and then taking over reign of Paris which then led to Toussant's sugar trade. I was i full support with the trade because I felt that it would benefit our economy, which is why I reinstated slaves as well. This was all part in my one bus success of a new constitution, which incorporated slavery and other new prospects I had for France. However, with successes of my reign came failures, one failure was the battle of Vertieres, where the Haitians then won and declared their independence, later in years, succumbing to the first black republic. Another failure I endured was when the white plantation owners and other superiors banned to create slave rebellions, which was another effect of what the Haitian revolution is. This caused more power to the Haitians and left me in a decline of power. Leaving me in a decline of power, gave rise to colored people and slaves to take advantage of my vulnerability. Throughout the Haitian Revolution, I have endured a great deal of successes, however, my successes then led to my failures which was not so great.
ReplyDelete- Napoleon / Kate Wong
I am Toussaint Louverture and I'm glad that I fought against you to get my freedom. Buying and using colored people like me is just wrong. We just did you dirty work that you guys can do yourself. Does someone have to be colored to work with your plantations? You failed, which was the end of you. Loosing your control over us was the end of you. We ended you. We just had to fight and fight until we won and now that we have won, we're growing and slowly rising to power, slowly take other your turf, and slowly becoming the face of the earth.
Delete-Toussaint Louverture/Kebron Abebe
I, Toussaint Louverture, find your stance on my people's revolution revolting. We worked ourselves to death, usually not even lasting two years in the harsh slave conditions of plantations, all for the benefit of your colonists. Your people preach life, liberty, and happiness, yet deny that to all the people you enslaved. We had made major strides when slavery was abolished, and to bring it back will only bring back more vigorous fighting from our people. Your successes are our losses and vice versa.
Delete--------Toussaint Louverture/Mohammad Baseer
As a “Gen de Couleur”, or a person of color, I’m a member of one of the lowest social classes in Saint-Domingue, which happens to just be above slaves. There are only around 30,000 of us on the island, and we try to fit in as French people as best as we can. I wear as much French clothing as I can afford, and act as the French do by speaking the language and acting like the upper class. While many of my fellow gen de couleur are shopkeepers, merchants, or small planters, I’m a merchant. I travel around the island, making many frequent stops to delivering goods to people all over the island. While this constant traveling has been hard on me, I’ve been able to take notice of the successes and failures caused by the Haitian Revolution. While I’ve only been a merchant for a little while now, I haven't always had the same job. I once used to own slaves myself, while I didn’t have many of them. But because of the Haitian Revolution, this ended shortly. My slaves, after seeing that they could and would be able to revolt, did so, easily taking over the small farm that I owned. Having nothing else to do, I had to set them free. The Haitian Revolution failed to allow me to keep my slaves, something that I prided myself in. I had worked for long and hard hours to gain those slaves, and they were taken away instantly because some slaves felt that they should be free. While the Haitian Rebellion did have some failures and didn’t achieve everything it was supposed to, it did have some successes. One of the successes of this rebellion was that the gen de couleur would not be affected by this rebellion. While a rebellion involving the slaves and higher up Frenchman would have the two parties waging war for a long time, us, the gen de couleurs would be able to avoid it and gain much economic freedom, as the slaves won, making the higher ups lose their power. Overall, as a get de couleur, I feel that the Haitian Rebellion was all to give us economic freedom from higher up Frenchman; however, I feel that this rebellion failed to allow me to keep my slaves, even though I only owned a small operation compared to the large plantations owned the the Frenchmen.
ReplyDelete- A Gen de Couleur / Colette McClanahan
I completely understand your point of view, but as a former slave myself, I am extremely happy for my freedom, and believe that owning slaves ethically wrong. You expressed that you were even a former slave yourself, so, therefore, would know first hand how harsh slavery can be. Even though you worked extremely hard for your position, I also worked hard for my freedom, so it is best if we move forward, and focus on making Haiti an amazing independent nation. Additionally, I also enjoy the fact that us blacks are able to be part of the top of the social structure, which is giving us so many more rights, and better quality of life, than previously. Overall, I definitely enjoy the same liberties that you do, and hope to continue to live enjoyable lives.
DeleteFormer Slave/Isabel Simmons
I can see how gen de couleurs like yourself would work so hard for something, but keep in mind I too was a slave and worked hard to get in the position I have in the Haitian Revolution. I was privileged enough to have a plantation owner who allowed me to be educated, learning how to read and write, privileged to be a coachmen, and to now rise up to power to support my people sharing the same mindset: freedom from the Frenchmen. I completely respect how you decided to let your slaves to be free and how you weren't entirely affected during the war. I do though hope that even though you lost slaves you had for such a short duration of time that you will be able to gain wealth and enjoy the liberty and equality we have now.
DeleteToussaint Louverture/Selam Desta
As Napoleon, the ruler of France, the rebellion of the slaves and the loss of Haiti has been a humiliating defeat for me. How France's proud and strong army was defeated by a rag tag band of slaves is beyond me. However, as I was once a revolutionary, I respect what the slaves fought for. I think it was noble that they fought for the right to self rule just like the people of France once did. I also appreciate However, I disagree with the freeing of slaves and the loss of Haiti. The slaves, even though they worked in harsh conditions, were necessary in providing revenue for France. The work of the slaves contributed heavily to France's economy, accounting for a third of French international trade. Similarly, the loss of Haiti and all its resources was a devastating blow to my dreams of expansion. Haiti was a valuable colony and port that was helpful for expansion in the Americas, as ships and troops could rest there before setting off. The products of Haiti was also important in funding the territorial expansion of France. The money could have been used to train new troops and buy better technology. While the slaves and colored peoples of Haiti got their freedom, the French living on the island lost their homes and livelihoods. The loss of Haiti has been proven to be a major obstacle if France is to remain strong and powerful.
ReplyDeleteNapoleon/Eric Wang
I sincerely hope you have learned your lesson in messing with a "ragtag group of slaves". It is not just slaves however. Even us colored people sided with them, and this is your fault. If France had given us colored people the same rights as the white people, we would have supported the whites. That would have been another 30,000 people to help fight the slaves. However, I do agree with you in that losing Haiti was humiliating, but only for you. For me, the Haitian Revolution was a huge success as I finally got the equality. What I do agree with you is that slaves should have not gotten freedom. However, you don't want them to get free because you don't want black people to have as much power as white people. I don't want slaves to get free because it would ruin the economy of our country. If we were to just give slaves better working conditions, they would continue to work in our plantations and our sugar production would be fine. However, most free slaves will not want to work on the plantations, which ruins our economy. In conclusion, I largely disagree with your beliefs. The revolution was a success overall.
DeleteColored person/Krishna Patel
DeleteAs a former slave, the Haitian Revolution has completely changed my life, as I now have control over my own fate, and am able to earn fair pay for my hard work. We now have control and a voice in our society, and are able to make a difference in the way we are treated, as blacks now make up the upper class members. The Haitian Revolution was able to successfully free my people and better our lives, however, did cause our nation to be in debt to the French, and even harm our agricultural capacity, decreasing our production rate for coffee and sugar. This does have some pressing concerns for us as an overall new country, however, I can most certainly not complain as I am living a far much better life than previously. I do have some concerns for future work opportunities, but hope that Haiti will be able to thrive as an independent country without slavery. Another success of this revolution would be that other countries, such as the United States of America, are now questioning their morals and if slavery should be abolished. I understand the harsh conditions that those regions are experiencing, and really appreciate that our own revolution was able to become a catalyst for future change not just in Haiti, but in the entire world as a whole. Overall, this revolution has helped massively improve my life, and the lives of the thousands of people that had previously suffered under French rule. Even though we face some concerning economic difficulties, I do think the country can get through these problems, and will make us a stronger nation.
ReplyDeleteFormer Slave/Isabel Simmons
As a Grand Blanc, I very much so disagree with your opinion on the Haitian Revolution. You have caused great disruption within San Domingue and the economy has now taken a toll as no one is working in the fields anymore. You have also greatly harmed us Grand Blancs; attacking us and ruining our land. I believe that we should go back to the way we were before as we were prosperous then and had many goods to offer. Haiti thrived on slavery so I do not think that things will go well for Haiti and all the people from this point on. Once again I'd like to emphasize that I do not think that the Haitian revolution was a good thing as I have suffered and loss a great deal.
Delete-Grand Blanc / Bella Huang
As Toussaint Louverture, I am without a doubt fully pleased with the outcomes of the Haitian Revolution. As I once was born in a plantation in Saint Domingue, I am glad that my privileges in my early life lead to me leading this revolt. I am glad that many people were able to follow me and respect me seeing as I once was a slave who has now risen as a leader of a colony in the Caribbean. Some failures that I would see out of the Haitian Revolution would be how I proposed an ideal settlement offer to the white people. I proposed that I would send most of the rebels back to the plantations in exchange for a better labor-life for the slaves from the plantation owners, yet these rebels did refuse, which turned situations quite ugly. Despite this, the revolution did help many slaves in gaining their freedom as my people fought besides me for liberty and equality, where we became known as the first free black republic.
ReplyDelete^
DeleteToussaint Louverture/Selam Desta
As a gen de coleur, I believe that the Haitian revolution was an overall success. It's biggest success was the fact that people like me were able to gain equality with the grand blancs. We work so hard to be like the French. While we may have had African American blood, it was not our fault we were born this way. In fact, it is the Europeans' fault that they took advantage of slaves. They don't want to own up to their mistakes by accepting us as French citizens. Instead, they want to look down on us. They make us inferior to them. Is this really the kind of people we want to occupy the leadership positions in our country? Do we want rulers that only care about themselves? This was my biggest reason for supporting the revolution. We are people too. We tried to be French, and what good did it do? None. Just like how Toussaint suggests to only use violence as a last resort, we tried our best to gain equality peacefully. However, it didn't work as the filthy whites did not want to lose their power. For that reason, I fully believe in the revolution. However, even though the revolution was successful in that it brought about equality, one of the biggest failures was that slavery was emancipated. I believe that while social classes should be equal, this should refer to everyone but slaves. Slaves are the working force of our country and without them, our economy will suffer. No one wants to work on the fields voluntarily, so our sugar production will decline. Our whole nation will decline. Instead, I think that we should keep slavery. The only thing we should have changed is making working conditions better for the slaves. However, since I did gain equality with the whites, I do feel like the revolution was a success.
ReplyDeleteColored person/Krishna Patel
As a gen de couleurs who was born a slave and was emancipated, I think that the idea of keeping slavery is appalling, and that this opinion is born out of privilege. You may have been lucky enough to be free your whole life, but one week of enslavement would completely change your perspective. I agree that the revolution was successful, but disagree that slavery should be reinstated, and instead propose a labor system that would involve employment instead of enslavement, which would make our island just as profitable, and much more equal.
DeleteGen de Couleur/Pandora Ondo
As I am also a gen de couluer, I share many of the same viewpoints as you do. You say that the French look down upon us, and it’s something I strongly agree with. We were born into this, and did not have a choice. I feel that this is something that should be changed, as we are above the slaves, many gen de couleurs do own their own slaves and smaller plantations. You mention that the revolution failed to keep slavery, and I fully agree. Our economical structure on this island was totally ruined without the large amounts of money brought in because of slavery. Like you said because of this decline, our sugar production has gone down dramatically, making our island lose its status as one of the main sugar producers of the world. Overall, I agree with your viewpoint of the effects revolution, and the idea that keeping slavery would have been a large help our colony.
Delete- A Gen de Couleur / Colette McClanahan
As a Grand Blanc, I absolutely disagree with the Haitian Revolution. Our society is completely dependent on inequality and slave work, it’s simply what makes San Domingue run properly and to disrupt the system that has worked so well is appalling. The Haitian Revolution was a failure for me as it put me in serious danger. I was constantly living in fear that the slaves would come after me and attack. Many of my fields were damaged and set on fire like the other Grand Blancs. San Domingue was no longer a safe place for me. My power decreased quickly during the revolution and I could no longer control over the slaves as they have risen in power. They have no right to be treating me and my fellow plantation workers in such a way. For once in my life I feared the slaves which is completely wrong in my opinion, they should be the ones fearing me if anything! The slaves never even stopped to think what their revolt would do to our well run economy. We were prosperous and doing well with the constant slave work, but ever since the slaves revolted we have nobody producing goods for us to give to France. Although I do not completely like the fact that we give all our products to France, at least we were still prosperous while doing so. There was no success on my side of the Haitian Revolution; in fact I got no benefits and only suffered from this horrible revolution.
ReplyDelete-Grand Blanc / Bella Huang
As Toussaint Louverture, I disagree with your view on the Haitian Revolution. I can see the reason you believe your society is dependent on making a profit through slave work, which started because of the rising popularity of sugar in France, which is made in the fields of St. Domingue. I know the economy of France is at a struggle because of the ongoing French Revolution, and is still recovering from the countless wars, but I believe human equality is more important than a stable economy, especially when treating humans with respect is on the line. What the French people have done to St. Domingue is inhumane, and the slaves of the land merely gave their owners the taste of their own medicine. If an economy prospers of the fuel that is unfair treatment and other inhumane actions, then I believe it is an economy that should another, less corrupt, way of achieving it's goals to benefit it's country.
DeleteToussaint Louverture/ Carlos Baez
As Toussaing Louverture, I completely disagree with your view of the outcome of the Revolution. It was a great success for people of color. We lived in fear all our lives in the conditions you had us in. You had no right in treating us the way you had either. I find it ironic how the situation flipped, but now we all live freely without having slavery or fear, which to me is a great outcome of the Revolution for us both. We may have hurt your economy, but as the grand country France is, it can surely prosper, just as we will. We are all now treated equally and that is the greatest outcome that this Revolution has provided, at least for ya people of color.
Delete-Toussaint Louverture/ Alondra Ugarte
As a Grand Blanc, I completely despise the actions of the Haitian Revolution and how it has affected not only Saint Domingue, but my personal life and my social class. To start off, the slave revolts were an absolute disruption to our society as our plantations were entirely destroyed and important crops could no longer be produced. My life took an immediate turn as before, I depended on slave labor and now there is nothing I can rely on. They took away the only thing that made this colony successful, and they were the crops that we produced. Without the sugar plantations and coffee farms, my personal fortune was ruined as the crops are what made me wealthy in the first place. In addition, the rise of black slaves took away my white privileges and they forced us off of the island, while watching our plantations burn into ashes. Not to mention, some of the other grand blancs were wounded by the slaves and some even murdered, which put me in a very dangerous and frightening position. I do not think I should have been threatened by lower class slaves when I stood on the very top of the social class structure in Haiti. Moreover, I also do not think the government should have put regulations on our own businesses and it is upsetting how the French trade laws wants us to improve the living and working conditions of slaves. Slaves are slaves for a reason, they are to work on our plantations so that we are able to produce enough crops to allow France and this colony to prosper and grow. Without those plantations, Haiti would simply lose its important to France as the abundance amount of crops we produce is what makes us so valuable. The slaves not only attacked us but they also took away the only thing that I was able to live my luxurious life off of, which only makes sense that we seek revenge on them and not to give them any additional privileges. Overall, all the success was taken by the slaves and their rebellions, while I did not benefit at all from the Haitian Revolution. My privilege and wealth was taken away from me and it is unfair that what I once owned can gain power in such violent and unfair way.
ReplyDelete- Grand Blanc/ Hannah Hu
I disagree with your idea that slaves were meant to only work and produce in order to maintain the happiness of others. Slaves are people too, and they should be treated as such. However, your argument that the Haitian Revolution took away the plantations and crops that kept Haiti standing is invalid. The revolution may have granted slaves freedom, but they were still required to work on the fields and produce crops/sugar. I agree with you on the idea that the production of these crops are of high importance, however instead of forcing them to work, they are now paid and treated less harshly. I apologize for the fall of your social status, but the unrest that led to the revolution that you so hate was built up whilst you had the most voice. Your luxurious life led to the increase of their misery; there is always another side to the story.
Delete- Toussaint Louverture/Kristian Chau
As Toussaint Louverture, I believe that the Haitian Revolution was a success. As a man that was once in the position of many of the African slaves that suffered on the plantations in Saint-Domingue, I am glad that I was seen as the leader of the revolution that ended the suffering of my people. The Haitian Revolution, through ugly yet effective revolts, was able to grant independence to the African slaves in St. Domingue. The best part of the Haitian Revolution, I believe was the creation of our very own constitution that declared all races are treated equal, and the slaves shall be free and able to live their own lives. With this, and the perseverance of my people, we were able to successfully drive out French forces and abolish slavery (around 150 years before the U.S does also). A flaw in our slave rebellion was my foolish mistake to offer a plantation to the white planters of St. Domingue. As I should have expected, they did not take this offering lightly, and believed it to be a sign of "giving up" if they were to abide to my offering. As I should have known, as the African slaves and white workers of St. Domingue were at high and dangerous tensions. I, however, believe that the positives greatly weigh the negatives as the abolishment of slavery and equal rights among races has set an example for future regions to make the right choices when creating their own constitution as the people of St. Domingue did.
ReplyDelete-Toussaint Louverture (Carlos Baez)
As Napoleon, I disagree with you on the Haitian Revolution being a success. The rebellion led to the deaths of many good people, and very little was accomplished. You may have succeeded in gaining independence, but at the cost of thousands of lives. Also, the loss of Haiti was a major blow to France. Your rebellion led to the loss of trading goods and valuable income for the French people. Many French traders and merchants now have to find another source of goods. Also, the Europeans living in Haiti have lost their homes to the rebel slaves destroying and burning. The actions of the slaves were reprehensible and many brave French soldiers died defending Haiti from the brutal violent slaves.
DeleteNapoleon/Eric Wang
As a former slave, I totally agree with you that the Haitian Revolution was a total success. It is amazing that us slaves were finally able to get our freedom that we have deserved all of our lives. It is extremely unfair for us to have to sacrifice our health and even our lives just for the betterment of the Europeans. We all wanted this freedom more than anything, and we worked our hardest to be able to reach our goal. We needed to show this world that we are more than just tools to be used in the cotton, tobacco, and the sugar fields. This revolution will also inspire other slaves to stand up and fight for their freedom. It is essential that we, as humans, all have equal rights. I know that someday all slaves will be able to fight and receive their freedom, and this was just the beginning.
DeleteFormer Slave/Erik Till
As a gen de coleur, I am a person of color that was one of about 28,000 others. My position in society is a bit better than slaves. I can own land, slaves, and work as respectable jobs such as an artisan or a shopkeeper. I had a better life than African slaves, but I was still under the whites. I did not have full French citizenship, and even though I fit in with the white people in terms of clothes and economic status, I was not granted full citizenship. My status in Haiti was altered a bit when the Haitian Revolution came around. The failures that accompanied the revolution mainly consists of my loss of slaves and plantations as many of my slaves rebelled, burning down my plantations and losing me a lot of profit. I could not hope to keep my slaves after their zealous revolts. These loses were disappointing to me and has made my life a lot worse off financially and also hurts the economy of Haiti as a whole. The success that came out of the Haitian Revolution is the obtainment of citizenship for me and the rest of the gens de coleur. If both of the parents were free, then a gen de coleur could obtain full French citizenship. This made me more equal to the whites, but I am still upset from my losses economically with the Haitian Revolution.
ReplyDelete-Gen de Coleur / Alyssa Lagua
Respectfully as a man who is just as free as you, I would like to disagree with you on the terms of the loss of your plantations and slaves being a failure. Perhaps to you the loss of your monopoly may hurt, but in terms on the treatment of slaves the revolution was a success. As a man who was born in freedom you do not understand what the slaves had to go through. I, who has been on both side, believe that it was in our best interest to improve the treatment of slaves at the very least. However, I do agree with the obtainment of citizenship as being a success because it generated equality amongst the people of Saint Domingue. Your gaining of citizenship was a point that resulted from abolishing certain racial tensions corresponding to the color of slaves and individuals.
Delete- Toussaint Louverture(Nicolas Dimaano)
The Haitian Revolution was a success in an attempt against slavery under French owners. Born on a plantation on Saint Domingue, I too was a slave in my early life and I am pleased to see the end of my peoples suffering. It was thanks to the revolution that the first constitution in which steps against racial discrimination were made. However, it was a series of quite messy revolts that were effective. To avoid this I tried to propose a settlement agreement to those darn slave- owners, but they denied it believing that it would be a symbol of surrender. It was the best offer I gave them, but they did not take it. I had offered them rebels for the improvement of slave treatment, but they denied it. The tension between us only increased. Also during the time in which I lacked any support against the French government attempting to reestablish slavery in the colonies, I perhaps should have not attempted to deport my competition such as Sonthanaxs who would have been a worthy abolitionist who would have been of great aid in repealing the French government. Regardless, the main idea that slavery had been inhibited is of my greatest pleasure. It to me, makes the entire Haitian revolution a success as we achieved our goal of improved treatment of slaves.
ReplyDelete- Toussaint Louverture(Nicolas Dimaano)
As a gens de coleur, I understand that the improved treatment of slaves and thus colored people alike was a success of the Haitian Revolution. I somewhat disagree with the removal of slavery, because it ruins my financial income and my lifestyle as my plantations produce at a slower rate and are not as profitable as they once were. Less production means that my plantations are not as efficient as before. The removal of slavery was disappointing to say the least, but at least fairer treatment is being established among social classes in Haiti as I have been discriminated against before as well with the lack of full citizenship I had. Now that the Haitian Revolution has happened, I can have access to full French citizenship and be more equal with the whites in Haiti, which I can agree is a major success of the revolution.
Delete- Gen de Coleur / Alyssa Lagua
As Toussaint Louverture, I am pleased with the outcomes of the Haitian Revolution. Haiti is now a free independent nation black-led and I could not be more pleased. I was once a slave that suffered the terrible slave conditions we were forced to experience, and being the one who led my people to freedom is exactly what I wanted. I admit that the journey to our freedom consisted of failures. I consider all the violence used to get where we are now is a grand failure. We could have avoided that, but the result may not be what it now is. A huge failure is the fact that I offered up some of my people to the white plantation owners and trusted the white man. I am truly pleased with the outcome. Haiti became the first free nation in Latin America, and the only one that gained independence from a successful rebellion. Overall, slavery was abolished and freedom was gained, which triumphs any “failures” that came with the revolution. This Revolution was a success that even consisted of constitution setting equal rights among races.
ReplyDelete- Toussaint Louverture/ Alondra Ugarte Perez
I feel that the revolution was successful in providing equal rights, but I feel that the revolution gave too many rights to the slaves. As a gen de couleur, I owned slaves, and as an African American, I know firsthand the cruelty given to people of my race before the revolution. However, I feel that slavery was a necessary part of life, since it allowed us to actually set up an economy based around agricultural production. Our agricultural production depends on slaves, and for that reason, slavery should be continued. Thus, I will have to disagree with your statement that the slave trade did not have any failures except the violence used.
DeleteAs a gen de coleur, I agree with you for most parts. Getting our equality with the Grand Blancs was very important since now we can be treated a humans of equal. I disagree with the abolishment of slavery. I believe we could've came to a compromise that made the working conditions of a slave much better than it was, but the truth is, slavery is what gave the country an economy. Without slaves, our production is lower and we cannot produce and harvest crops at nearly the same speed. In other words, slavery was crucial in driving our economy in order for us to stay a country.
Delete- gen de coleur / Daniel Lee
As a gen de couleur, I understand why the revolution had to happen and am pleased at the outcome. Being a person of color in a society where social class is based on skin is difficult. I am looked down on because of my heritage and treated only slightly better than the slave class. If not for my master who freed me, I would be no different from them. This rebellion helped Haiti take the first steps towards actual equality. The freeing of the slave class and abolishment of slavery is the most important thing to happen in Haiti for all those who are seen as 'less than'. Europeans see all people of color the same way: as objects made to work, not people. We are people, and the years of enslavement will change nothing. I think that the revolution was a huge success, and the abolishment of slavery was a positive thing. The only thing that should have been different is a new source of labor. Because slave owners are so entitled, they refuse to pay anyone to work on their fields and are costing us money. The economy of Saint Domingue is at risk, and whites should be a part of the workforce. They laze around all day, selling products made with the hands of the enslaved. This is insulting and they have no right to benefit from work they have no intention of doing. I am a shopkeeper, and know that both the production and the sale of our crops are important. However, there is no reason that the labor I went through and that others were also forced to go through is not something that whites should do as well.
ReplyDeleteGen de Couleurs/Pandora Ondo
As a gen de couleur, I fully support the Haitian Revolution, and I think it was very successful. Although there were failures, it was overall a success. In my opinion, the most important success was the fact that we, the gen de couleur, got equality with the grand blancs. Requesting equality with the grand blancs from the newly formed French government was one of the best ideas we have ever had. Even though we are African American, we still deserve equality since we are free men, not slaves. We gen de couleur are Frenchmen too. We should also be citizens and have equality with the grand blancs, so that is the main reason I supported the revolution. However, I think one of the failures was the abolition of slavery, since they are the backbone of our country's agricultural production. Without the slaves, we are nothing, and they should stay as they are for the good of the country. I was a slave owner too, you know.
ReplyDeleteGen de Couleur / Raj Patel
As a former slave, I agree that the Haitian Revolution was a success. I am considered above the slave class and have earned my freedom. Not only I, but every slave that now has freedom has sacrificed and worked brutal hours in the field to gain it. If it were not for this revolution, my new status would have meant nothing and my worth in society would be similar to a slave. I would have been greatly discriminated against. So, after experiencing the horrendous life of a slave, I do not agree with the statement that the abolition of slavery was a failure of this rebellion. Although, I do agree that it had left a blank space in our new nation's development that needs to be filled before our economy tanks like France's economy.
DeleteOverall, I believe that the Haitian Revolution was a great success! With humble beginnings starting as a slave myself in France's colony of Saint Domingue, I have had to endure all the pain and suffering all the other slave went through, and I am glad to see all the pain finally end. However, the road to independence definitely was not easy. To try to ease the tensions between rebellious slaves and whites, I tried to give the slave owners back some rebellious slaves for their plantations, but they only saw it as a sign of surrender and spat back my offer in disdain. However, the goal was ultimately accomplished. We abolished slavery way before many countries. We became the first ever independent black republic in the world. Although the lost lives were never wanted, they will always be venerated for the suffering they had to endure and only hope they are now proud of this new independent and free country, just like how I am.
ReplyDelete- Toussain Louverture/Nikolai Apilado
Hello all! I am a former slave and no matter what way a colored person gained their freedom, whether through merit or by decision of their master, each and every one of them gained it through sacrifice. Slaves have lost years off of their lives in the harsh conditions of the field, with the stings of ants and whips on their bodies. I have witnessed and experienced this horrendous lifestyle. Even after I lost the status of a slave, I was heavily discriminated against and could not obtain French citizenship. As hard as I tried to be French, I was never seen as that by the whites. Since then, Toussaint Louverture rose to power by leading a slave rebellion. For years, the slaves had lived under oppression. Although, with the introduction of the Enlightenment ideas of the French Revolution (liberty, equality, fraternity), us people of color and slaves posed the question: "Why don't these ideas apply to us?" The harsh reality was, these only applied to the whites. No more! We declared that we would no longer be seen as unequal. We would use the strategies of our oppressors on the oppressors themselves. Thus, the Haitian Revolution raged across the lands of San Domingue and defeated any white army who dared to enter the lands that were rightfully ours. With this revolution, we pushed France to abolish slavery, allowing 1 million black lives to be freed from the chains of oppression. The leadership of Louverture strengthened our military greatly and also sparked the passion of the rebellion once again when its excitement faded temporarily. The Haitian Revolution showed the ability of humanity, not just blacks or whites, to persevere in the harshest of times when the odds were not in their favor. It showed the fervor of a black nation and proved to the whites how able and intelligent we truly are, which they choose to ignore. We are not goods to be bought and sold, but humans that have the capabilities to overthrow and succeed. Although much was reaped, we found that the greater we grew, the greater our enemies grew (in numbers), as well. France, Britain, and Spain have come to be powerful enemies, which could threaten the future of this revolution, counteracting all of our efforts in bloody turmoils that would pull more and more from our treasury, dragging us into debt. We do not want to end up like France's economy, do we? Furthermore, our economic capacity has dropped enormously due to the freedom of slaves. The slaves, obviously, do not want to revert back to their harsh lives of slavery and Louverture would certainly not want to be seen as an oppressor, but now I worry of how our nation will succeed if the majority of our labor force wants to work for themselves and not to produce for San Domingue. This revolution has created many open ended questions in our San Domingue's future.
ReplyDeleteFormer slave / Anya Rajan
I agree with your opinion of the Haitian Revolution, as I am Toussaint Louverture. I led this revolution because I understood the way that my people were being mistreated, and though I am not a slave anymore, and was treated quite well when I was, I sympathize. The hypocrisy of these "free countries" is sickening and the cause of torment and death within our people. I agree that the revolution has opened so many new outcomes for our country, which we would never have had with slavery.
DeleteHello, I am a grand blanc and as such, I don’t share your opinion on the Haitian Revolution. The harsh toil of the slaves was needed to make Saint Domingue a wealthy colony. Because of your efforts, Saint Domingue’s plantation economy has been destroyed. Without our plantations, we cannot produce crops like sugar which have made our colony one of the most prosperous.The revolt of the slaves has caused only disruption to our once thriving society. In proving your capability to overthrow, the slave rebellion has revealed a great amount of violence to our island. Fueled by this unnecessary violence, the rebellion of the slaves has caused a state of fear to Saint Domingue felt strongly by the grand blancs. The result of the Haitian Revolution was the gain of many benefits to former slaves, but it has brought grand blancs little success other than autonomy from France.
Delete- Grand Blanc, Britney Guillermo
I am Toussaint Louverture, there were many successes and failures of the Haitian Revolution. I am one of the leaders of the Haitian independence movement during the French Revolution. I was born a slave but because of my talents and intelligence, I have risen to a higher position than any other African American slave. I became a general and was able to successfully abolish slavery in France for a while. Because of my success in abolishing slavery in France, at least 1,000 African Americans was able to become a French citizen. Although most of the white people despise me because I was black and was a powerful general, I was able to get the two races to live in harmony without much fighting. One of the failures in the Haitian revolution is the failure to keep up the equality among the races. When Napoleon took control over France, all my hard work was put to waste. Napoleon really wanted to turn back the clock of having African Americans to return back on the fields to plant sugar and eventually that is what happened.
ReplyDeleteToussaint Louverture/ Tiffany Fung
As the leader of the Haitian Revolution, I believe that it was rather successful. The Haitian Revolution was meant to appease the slaves. They had been living in such awful conditions for far too long; I led them to win quite possibly the most successful slave rebellion in history. The Haitian Revolution not only granted freedom to the slaves, but citizenship rights to all colored people of Haiti. Through this revolution, we were able to take one step closer towards equality. However, the journey that we, as a nation went on, in order to achieve these successes was a rather bumpy one. The vast amount of deaths that were caused and the disorganization that characterized it was something that I am displeased with. I believe that I, as a leader, failed in making sure that this slave revolt was carried out in an efficient manner. I also believe that this revolt should have happened earlier than it did. Though we were still among the first colonies to gain independence and be run by colored peoples, the unhappiness of slaves had lasted for a long time before this. As a former slave, I am glad to be able to lead San Domingue out of the throws of slavery and take one step closer towards equality. I hope to further lessen the discrimination present towards colored peoples, and promote the mentality that colored people are also people. They should never have been treated the way that they were.
ReplyDelete- Toussaint Louverture/Kristian Chau
I would have to say that I disagree with you because the Haitian Revolution cut off my dependence on slave labor on plantations. The colony's economy was based off crop production which I benefited from. I also do not agree with your actions in the revolution, since many white plantation owners and Grand Blancs were killed throughout the revolution because I should remind you that I am at the top of Haitian society and slaves should not be permitted to that.
Delete- Grand Blanc/Rebecca Jimenez
As a Grand Blanc, I disagree with the actions in the Haitian Revolution because it affects my position as the top of Haitian society and the connection that I have towards the economy in Haiti. Since I depend off the labor of the slaves and the plantation economy, the Haitian Revolution affected my position in society. I live off slave labor and the services of the people of color, so when the slaves revolted against white plantation owners, I could not depend off anything else. These slaves working on the French colony of San Domingue was what made the colony wealthy. The crops that the slaves harvested kept the colony moving and wealth increasing as well. Even though the population of the slaves increased, they shouldn’t be able to overthrow white plantation owners. During the revolt, the slaves killed plantation owners and also Grand Blancs, and destroyed properties.These are the failures of the Haitian Revolution, since I stopped making a living off slave labor and many Grand Blancs were dead because of the slaves in the revolution. However, the success of the Haitian Revolution did not benefit me, but mostly the slaves, since they wanted freedom, while I wanted more freedom from the French government.
ReplyDelete- Grand Blanc/Rebecca Jimenez
As Toussaint Louverture, I think that the outcome of the Haitian revolution was successful. We got our freedom and what we wanted with the leadership that I provided. Growing up as a free man taught me that I still have to help my own which I did that led us to many victories and failures. Failures that we got passed through was when we were declined for the settlement agreement because the French wanted revenge. They thought they were the victims in all of this which resulted in them not letting the revolts go back to their plantations. A victory is the whole revolution in general because we got our freedom. After the revolution, we got independence and equality which led to our country, San Domingue being named a Republic. Slavery was abolished which was just a huge victory for us because that's the only thing we wanted, to be independent.
ReplyDelete-Toussaint Louverture/Kebron Abebe
As a Grand Blanc, I am completely appalled by the Haitian Revolution and I don’t support what resulted from this revolt! Saint Domingue—and our whole society, mind you—was fueled by the success of our plantations. Of course, it was necessary for slaves to toil on the fields and in factories to keep our status as the most prosperous colony. Because of our growing wealth from the production of crops, Grand Blancs could live comfortably. I would think that the slaves were inspired by the French Revolution when they decided to disrupt the plantation economy. Initially, I thought that the French Revolution would lead to our autonomy from the French government, not to the end of Saint Domingue’s wealth! When the slaves revolted, they devastated our way of life through the destruction of our critical plantations. The slaves did not think of the good of Saint Domingue and it left plantation owners in a state of fear that we would have otherwise lived in leisure. If the Haitian Revolution had any successes, it would have been placing Grand Blancs in a horrible state with the slave rebellion and effectively disrupting Saint Domingue’s prosperous economy. In the end, Saint Domingue successfully gained its independence from France which I had desired; we became free of colonial powers, but Saint Domingue was still riddled with issues. What cost did this freedom come at?
ReplyDelete- Grand Blanc, Britney Guillermo
Being the leader of the Haitian Revolution I have to disagree with what you have to say because I think that slaves need their own rights. That's what they deserve for being put through everything the Plantation owners did to them. With everything that had happened their were achievements and even failures. The cost that this freedom comes at is you will fight for you're freedom and we will keep going until we get what we want. We only wanted one thing and that was freedom for the all of us.
DeleteAs being Louverture and leading the Haitian Revolution I think it had went pretty well knowing that the slaves had got freedom and having equality. Being born as a slave I knew that this wasn't right at all and all of this was just getting out of hand. This revolution had let slaves have their own rights and to be granted with freedom. As trying to solve this I let some of the Plantation owners have their own slaves as we were trying to ease down the tension between the black and white people. Their was a lot of deaths that we had to deal with that was one of the hardest things that both sides were mad about. Being a general and being black was also very hard because people didn't want to listen or agree with what I was wanting to say. Then when Napoleon had took over France it was really hard because he wanted everything to go back to how it use to be even with proposing a deal with the white plantation owners is something that I regret because they should have been free. Overall this was a success because Haiti was the first nation in Latin America and everyone got equal rights and freedom. The rights of the slaves was something important to me and the only real thing that I wanted to happen for them to be free.
ReplyDeleteAs a former slave as well I completely agree with you. We deserved the rights that everyone else had stripped away from us. As you stated people had died, but I am sure that you completely agree with me when I say that our sacrifice was not in vain, as we became our own free nation as a result. I am sure that our fallen brethren would be pleased with your work as an amazing general, and with the progress we had made to become free.
DeleteJake Schwalier x Former Slave
DeleteGreetings, I am a huge supporter of your causes as you were the one to free me from my horrible masters. Even though many of our brothers and sisters died, without your leadership, many more would have perished as well. Our free nation stands as a glorious tribute to you, even if you couldn't see it in person. You will always have supporters in Haiti if you ever come back to pay respects.
I, Toussaint Louverture, am extraordinarily delighted with the revolution of my people, the Haitians. I was a slave like most of my people, who worked hours on end, sugarcane scraping their skin, ants biting their feet. However, they did suffer more than I did, since I was born into a kinder, more humane plantation, even gaining my freedom later in life. My people suffered the cracks of whips, the heavy hands of slave masters, and the backbreaking work of the fields. I reached a high level in society for a man of my color, owning some plantations of my own, nonetheless I still worked relentlessly to achieve the successes of the revolution. The people fashioned their own freedom through the execution of their masters, destroying their crops and their lives, forcing them to flee to the capital. For the first time, we all had a taste of power. They were no longer the property of others, but humans with their own rights and abilities. However, an uprising is never perfect. We did have harsh times with famine, which led us to need the old masters, therefore I created a settlement, which would give my people back to the whites, in exchange for more personal freedoms and care. They refused. Enraged and hungry, both of our sides battled until we came out victorious, though I wasn’t alive to see it.
ReplyDelete-------Toussaint Louverture/Mohammad Baseer
Toussaint Louverture, pardon, but what were you thinking? You were great product of a good slave owner. You betrayed the very class that brought you your position. Without the Grand Blancs, you would have been nothing but another slave. You should have remained faithful to the Grand Blancs. Instead you brought a blood bath to life, ripping the sugar through fire. You alongside many slaves sucked the life out of Saint Domingue. So many died over such a terrible cause. French society itself, along with every other society has some sort if inequality. You should have coped with it. Must you feel the heavy weight of the pools of blood you left behind.
DeleteLa Grand Blanc, Michelle Garcia
As a Grand Blanc of France, I still find myself discontent with the occurences that led up to the Haitian Revolution and the results of such disgraceful events. I was obviously at the opposition of what the slaves managed to carry out. The slaves should have had no right to revolt against the French government. As slaves, they were brought to Saint Domingue to work our sugar plantations, plantations that I owned. They are merely slaves who should not have such freedom and equality. French society was built and relied on equality for certain people, not everyone. Slaves should have seen the white superiority. They harvest the cash crop of sugar which greatly prospered our economy, or should I say the economy of France from my plantations. Crops such as sugar were taken from my harvests and sold by France, this was my only disaccord as I felt as Saint Domingue should have had the ability to prosper using its own power, after all, we produced those crops with the strict usage of slaves. They complained about the abuse of slaves, however, never would their bodies have been whipped without cause. In fact, these culprits should have been thankful that I even let them work on my land and give them some place to stay. The revolution was something so unnecessary as plantations were a complete sight to despair after fighting. Not only that, but so many plantations owners were killed and as were slaves. I am disappointed as a Grand Blanc to have seen where this revolution led, and I have an overall lack of fondness for anything that happened.
ReplyDeleteLe Grand Blanc, Michelle Garcia
As a former slave, i believe that the revolution was an amazing success. Although we had lost many of our own people as a result of the revolt itself, their sacrifice did not go in vain, as we have now been freed from the oppressive hand of our previous white masters, and now have the right to live as we please. I am devastated to say that as we continued to fight we had lost more people, and were even almost enslaved once more, but our miraculous leader Toussaint Louverture had led us to victory through many years of bloodshed.
ReplyDeleteAs a Grand Blanc, a white plantation owner, I believe the Haitian Revolution was not successful. With such, I believe one of the failures of the Haitian Revolution was the fact that the revolution destroyed the economy, putting plantation owners, like myself, out of business. The Haitian Revolution damaged Haiti’s economy as runaway slaves burned plantation fields, refineries, and factories. This is one failure of the Haitian Revolution, because our economy depends on sugar exports, which are cultivated in the plantations. We did not have any crops to sell to France. Without land to cultivate sugar, coffee, and tobacco on, our economy was unable to prosper. Because my social status depended on slaveholding and crops, such as sugar, my personal wealth has decreased, which lowered my authority over the slaves as they have rose to power through terror. Furthermore, the heavy amount of deaths of slaveholders and white elites was another failure of the Haitian Revolution. The massacre carried out against the white population was unnecessary as the slaves imprisoned, tortured, and killed thousands of innocent white children and women who were friendly towards the black population. Additionally, many whites living in Haiti have lost their homes as the rebel slaves burned down and destroyed many houses. Although I gained freedom from the French government, I was unable to establish a local autonomy, because the slaves drove the European elites off the island. If the French colonial government ceased to interfere with matters on Haiti and if Europeans had not been forced off the island, I would’ve considered this revolution has a success. Overall, I feel that the Haitian Revolution was not successful. Due to these failures, the Haitian Revolution was not beneficial to be considering the the number of excessive deaths, destruction of plantations and homes, how much the economy was damaged, and the overwhelming fact that white plantation owners and elites were displaced by the lesser African slaves.
ReplyDeleteGrand Blanc/Michelle Jiang
As a gen de coleur, I believe that the revolution was a resounding success. There may have been a few losses that we have to deal with, but overall, a lot went right. First, the leveling of the racial differences was a major success. We no longer have to be treated as less from the Grand Blancs. We can finally be treated as equal instead of treating the white men like they're our masters. I am not a slave and I do not wish to be treated as one. Also becoming our own sovereign nation gives us more of a say in the government as we are not completely controlled by the French. The only loss in this revolution is the abolishment of slavery. Slavery is the main source for our economy. Slaves is what gets us our exports. Without slavery, we cannot produce as much good as we could have before. Even as a gen de coleur, I believed that we needed slavery as I was also once a slave owner.
ReplyDelete- gen de coleur / Daniel Lee
Jake Schwalier x Former Slave
ReplyDeleteAs a former slave, I would like to personally thank Touissant Louverture for changing my life. I have the privilege to live in the world's first black republic and enjoy civil freedoms. I am allowed to have basic human rights, citizenship, and participation in government. I obviously consider these the successes of the revolution. With the tactics and leadership of the great Touissant Louverture, we were able to beat back the supporters of the cursed slavery and pushed France to abolish slavery in their own country. We have freedom to choose our own way of life and what our country out to be. However,there were some downsides of the revolution. We have lost so many brothers and sisters, over 100,000 of them. Our country's production of sugar and coffee was crippled due to a shift in labor. Our economy is in jeopardy of failing, but that is a small price to pay to free 1 million slaves from the tyrannical rule of slave owners.