Haitian Revolution (Part 1) | World history | Khan Academy

The video script begins by shifting focus from the turmoil in Europe to the French colony of Saint-Domingue, now known as Haiti. It explains the geographical and historical context of the island of Hispaniola, divided between Spanish-controlled Santo Domingo and French-controlled Saint-Domingue. The narrative highlights the economic importance of Saint-Domingue as a highly profitable slave colony, producing vast amounts of sugarcane, which was crucial for the financially struggling France during the late 1700s. The script also introduces Vincent Oge, a wealthy, mixed-race businessman who was in Paris during the French Revolution and began lobbying for equal rights for people of color.

This paragraph delves into the challenges faced by Vincent Oge in his quest for equal rights. Initially ignored by the National Assembly, Oge eventually saw a legislative amendment in 1790 that he interpreted as granting voting rights to proprietors, which he believed included him. Returning to Saint-Domingue, he found his rights still unrecognized by the local governor, leading to an unsuccessful revolt in October 1790. The paragraph also provides a snapshot of the demographic composition of Saint-Domingue at the time, with a significant population of slaves, white colonialists, and mixed-race freemen of color. Oge's revolt and subsequent execution in 1791 marked a precursor to further unrest among the island's population.

The script moves on to describe the large-scale slave uprising in Saint-Domingue in 1791, triggered by the voodoo ceremony led by Dutty Boukman. The rebellion, fueled by the island's demographic majority of African slaves, posed a significant threat to France's most profitable colony. In response, France dispatched a delegation led by Sonthonax, accompanied by thousands of troops, with the mission to quell the rebellion. The French government, facing financial ruin and war with other European powers, was further strained by the crisis in Saint-Domingue. The Legislative Assembly's decision in 1792 to grant full citizenship to all free people of color was a significant, though posthumous, validation of Oge's efforts.

The paragraph discusses the pivotal moment when Sonthonax declared freedom for all slaves in Saint-Domingue in 1793, initially in the North and later extended to the entire French territory on the island. This bold move was met with skepticism by the rebelling slaves, who were wary of French intentions. However, the declaration was ratified by the French National Convention in 1794, leading to Toussaint L'Ouverture, a self-educated former slave and skilled military leader, to ally with the French Republic against the British threat and internal colonialist resistance.

Toussaint L'Ouverture's leadership is highlighted in this paragraph, as he established himself as the de facto governor of Saint-Domingue without seeking revenge against the former colonialists or declaring independence from France. His disciplined approach to governance and military leadership earned him respect, but also led to his self-declaration as governor for life in 1801. The paragraph also sets the stage for Napoleon's discontent with L'Ouverture's authority and the diminishing profitability of the colony due to the loss of slave labor.

The final paragraph details Napoleon's decision to reassert control over Saint-Domingue by sending his brother-in-law, Charles Leclerc, with a large military force. Leclerc's betrayal of L'Ouverture through a false negotiation led to L'Ouverture's capture and eventual death in a French prison. The script concludes with a poignant quote from L'Ouverture, reflecting his belief in the enduring spirit of liberty in Saint-Domingue despite his personal tragedy.