The Slave Revolution in the Caribbean

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The Slave Revolution in the Caribbean

Colonists in the eighteenth century created plantations that produced goods such as tobacco, cotton, indigo, and more importantly, sugar. These plantations required forced labor, and thus slaves were shipped from Africa to the new world. “The Caribbean was a major plantation that was a big source of Europe’s sugar, and increasing economic expansion. The French had many colonies, including its most prize possession Saint- Domingue (Haiti).” Life on the plantations of Saint- Domingue was very brutal and most of the salves who survived the journey to the New World died within a few years of their arrival (Slave Revolution 7). This brutal force used on the slaves caused the slaves to rebel. This revolution, which took place in Haiti, was not only surrounded by political, economic, and racial issues, but it was also the reason for the formation of the Haitian Republic.

There were many political issues that took place during the salve revolution in Haiti that helped form the Haitian Republic. Each colony has the right to express its wishes regarding the constitution, laws, and administration… they may discuss and prepare their own laws… they will not fully exist until the National Assembly has ratified them or the king has approved them (Slave Rev.71-72).” The National Assembly made instructions of how the colonies elections would run and to organize the colonies law making”. In doing this the National Assembly did not include any rights for free blacks. This infuriated men of color. It seemed as if they were not citizens, and did not deserve the same rights the free whites have. This political issue was also a
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...e slave revolution also caused a complicated relationship between Haiti and France, as well as the abolition of slavery. In the end the slaves gained their freedom and wrote a constitution of their own. The revolution is the symbol of Haiti’s freedom, independence, and the slaves struggle to gain the equality they rightfully deserved.

Citation Page

Laurent Dubois and John D. Garrigus. "Slave Revolution in the Caribbean 1789-1804: A Brief History of Documents.” Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006.

Works Cited

Laurent Dubois and John D. Garrigus. "Slave Revolution in the Caribbean 1789-1804: A Brief History of Documents.” Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006.

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