Goals for today: After this lesson, students will be able to
identify the causes and events that led to the revolution in
Saint-Domingue.
Slide 3
Bell-ringer: What feelings does this picture elicit? As we
continue studying revolutions, try and think of the similarities
and differences between the French Revolution and the Haitian
Revolution.
Slide 4
Haiti/St. Domingue Dominican Republic Entire Island: Hispaniola
USA
Slide 5
Today, Haiti is seen as one of the most impoverished countries
by the United Nations. It is the poorest country in the Americas as
measured by the Human Development Index. The government is arguably
unstable. In 2004, President Aristide was overthrown by the people.
In January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck destroying its
capital and largest city Port-au- Prince. Over 220,000 were killed
and the Presidential palace, Parliament and thousands of homes and
businesses were destroyed.
Slide 6
Haiti wasnt always so poor, however. In fact, at one time, it
was the wealthiest colony in the New World, bringing large profits
to the European powers and having numerous natural resources! Back
then, the area now known as Haiti was called Saint-Domingue. So,
how did it fall? And why are we studying it during our chapter on
Revolutions? What makes LARGE empires FALL ? First, we have to look
at a little bit of history.
Slide 7
Pre-1600s Saint-Domingue (the western third of Hispaniola) was
discovered by Christopher Columbus for the Spanish. Thousands of
slaves (gen de colour = people of color) were shipped from Africa
to Hispaniola. In 1644, sugar cane was introduced to the island
great economic revolution = $$$$$$. Saint-Domingue was the
wealthiest, most resource rich, most valuable colony of its
time!
Slide 8
1700s After a war between France and Europe (The Nine Years
War), France was given Saint-Domingue by the Spanish.
Saint-Domingue was so wealthy that it supplied half of Europe with
sugar, coffee and cotton.
Slide 9
1789-90: Things start to change. 1.French revolution occurs.
2.Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen is written. a.People
take Locke, Hobbes & Rousseaus ideas and make them into actual
governments. BUT not everyone gets rights. The gen de colour
(people of color) in Saint-Domingue were promised citizenship from
the French government, but they did not get it. So just like the 3
rd estate in France, violence ERUPTED. Questions?
Slide 10
As people became angry in France
Slide 11
The slaves started to revolt in Saint-Domingue (soon to be
Haiti) The slaves started to revolt in Saint-Domingue (soon to be
Haiti)
Slide 12
Slide 13
How would the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
influence a revolt in Saint-Domingue? Think about these two
excerpts: 1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.
Social distinctions may only be founded upon the general good. 2.
The aim of all political association is the preservation of the
natural and imprescriptibly rights of man. These rights are
liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression.
Slide 14
In August 1791, voodoo magic Boukman led a voodoo ceremony
which ignited a slave revolt, known as the Boukman Rebellion, which
sparked the Haitian Revolution.
Slide 15
More on this ceremony Voodoo was an important part of their
culture, religion and identity. In August 1791, Boukman presided
over a ceremony as a priest and prophesied that the slaves would be
leaders of a resistance movement and revolt that would free the
slaves of Saint-Domingue. An animal was sacrificed, an oath was
taken, and Boukman and the priestess asked the listeners to take
revenge against their French oppressors. According to the
Encyclopedia of African Religion, "Blood from the animal, and some
say from humans as well, was given in a drink to the attendees to
seal their fates in loyalty to the cause of liberation of
Sainte-Domingue. A week later, 1800 plantations had been destroyed
and 1000 slaveholders killed. In August 1791, Boukman presided over
a ceremony as a priest and prophesied that the slaves would be
leaders of a resistance movement and revolt that would free the
slaves of Saint-Domingue. An animal was sacrificed, an oath was
taken, and Boukman and the priestess asked the listeners to take
revenge against their French oppressors. According to the
Encyclopedia of African Religion, "Blood from the animal, and some
say from humans as well, was given in a drink to the attendees to
seal their fates in loyalty to the cause of liberation of
Sainte-Domingue. A week later, 1800 plantations had been destroyed
and 1000 slaveholders killed.
Slide 16
So now that the slave revolt was startingthey needed a leader:
Toussaint LOuverture became seen as the leader of the Haitian
Revolution. He was a former slave (for 50 years), but became a
brilliant self- educated general, defeating the British, Spanish
and French.
Slide 17
Within ten days after Boukmans voodoo ceremony, slaves took
control of the entire Northern Province. They sought revenge on
their white masters through pillage, rape, torture, mutilation and
death. Over 100,000 slaves joined the revolt and killed at least
4,000 whites and burned or destroyed thousands of sugar or coffee
plantations. Unfortunately, the revolution will not end until 1804
TheRevolutionhas begun.
Slide 18
And from here on out, Saint-Domingue was in revolution
(1791).
Slide 19
Choose your activity. Be creative! 1.Draw a short cartoon about
what you have learned about the Haitian Revolution so far. Draw and
caption as many frames as you can be creative. 2.If you are like me
and cant draw stick figures, there is a timeline on the back of the
worksheet and there are key terms below place the key terms in
order of where you think they would go. For each item, give one
sentence as to why it was important. You should be able to do at
least five. OR To jot your memorieshere are some key
words/phrases/events: Slave trade, Sugar Cane, French, Boukman,
Declaration of Rights of Man, Toussaint LOuverture, Hispaniola,
Voodoo, Spanish, Storming of the Bastille To jot your memorieshere
are some key words/phrases/events: Slave trade, Sugar Cane, French,
Boukman, Declaration of Rights of Man, Toussaint LOuverture,
Hispaniola, Voodoo, Spanish, Storming of the Bastille
Slide 20
Thats all for now, folks: Complete your exit ticket before
leaving. Turn in your cartoon/timeline before leaving, as well!
Thank you for letting me be your student teacher! I will miss you
all!