The French and Atlantic Revolutions, Part II – the Haitian Revolution

 

I. Introduction: Social Revolutions vs. Wars for Independence 

     A. Wealth of Saint-Domingue in the 18th century

     B. Social Structure of Saint-Domingue

          1. Grand Blancs

          2. Petit Blancs

          3. Blancs Menants

          4. Affranchis

          5. Slaves

II. Haitian Revolution

     A. First Efforts by Vincent Oge
     B. Divisions within the Free Population

     C. Slave Revolt (August 1791)

III. Toussaint L’Ouverture 

     A. Early Life and Leadership Abilities 

     B. Switching Sides: Spain to France (May 1794) 
     C. Policies as Lt. Governor (1795) and Governor General (1796) 

          1. Economic Policies: Maintaining the Plantations 

          2. Political Policies: Invasion of San Domingo, 1801

     C. Abdication and Abduction (1802)

     D. Continuing the Struggle

IV. Haitian Independence (1804) 

     A. World Reactions

     B. Civil War and Re-unification

     C. International Recognition

V. Conclusion: Persistent Problem: Class or Race?

 

 

 

Key Terms

social revolution
war for independence

Saint-Domingue

grand blancs

petit blancs
affranchis

Haitian Revolution

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Napoleon Bonaparte

General Charles LeClerc

 

 

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