Decolonization

Haiti is a nation that shares their resource-rich Caribbean island with the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic; the Island is also known as Hispaniola. Haitians speak French and Haitian Creole. Since 1804, Haiti has faced much controversy over their independence and black-self government. The black-self government refers to the black slaves successfully receiving rights as slaves and individuals, which forced independence and freedom for blacks. Haiti achieved independence by a slave uprising; the slaves killed of their French slave-owners. In this sense, decolonization and abolition occurred at the same time in Haiti, starting a new example and movement. Through this controversy, The Haitian Revolution impacted the rest of the world, primarily the United States of America and the Caribbean.

At a grand moment in modern history, the first independent black republic was birthed. "On August 22, 1791, the Haitian war of independence began in flames under the leadership of a religious leader named Boukman; over one hundred thousand slaves rose up against the vastly outnumbered and infinitely hated French," (The Haitian Revolution). There were many more slaves in the Haitian Revolution than in the American Revolution, which resulted in more involvement and dedication from the blacks for what they believed they were owed. The sugar and coffee plantations that supported the colonial economy required vast imports of slaves. The slaves, majority of who were owned for most of their lives, ran the French slave-owners out of the country by burning the plantations and even executing them. These actions gave the slaves power and the ability to enforce their culture and government in the land.

Under the leadership of Toussaint, Haiti remained a French territory. During this time, the Island's government and military were in control of the political, economic and social aspects of the Island. Once Toussaint died, the Island was reinvaded by the French. The new leaders of Haiti were discontented with the slavery taken place in the Island and were determined for slavery to be abolished upon the land. "The war fought between Leclerc and Dessalines was, on both sides, one of the most horrifying struggles in history. Both resorted to atrocities," (The Haitian Revolution). In November of 1803, Haiti was finally an official republican. Once made official, it inspired movements that were already started but not completed to move rapidly and end slavery in North America. [The Haitian Revolution, DIASPORA/HAITI] WHERE THOSE PARAGRAPHS IDEAS ARE FROM...?

The Haitian Revolution had a tremendous impact on the U.S. Revolution. The U.S. was afraid that whites would be harmed or run out as in Haiti, and that slaves would no longer allow themselves to be oppressed and ill-treated. The U.S. was also concerned because