Unit 6 Lesson 2
How did the independence of Haiti change the course of world history?
Toussaint L’Ouverture was born in slavery in 1743 Haiti. The grandson of an African chief,
Toussaint’s early life would be spent toiling under the lash of the whip in the profitable French
Caribbean colony. Sugar was the cash crop in the Caribbean and with control of the Caribbean's
best sugar producing land the leaders of France grew wealthy and powerful throughout the seventeen hundreds. Meanwhile Toussaint was fortunate enough to escape the brutality of the sugar
fields and instead he was educated by his owners and given a job as a coachman. In 1789 following the French Revolution, Toussaint used his ability to read (rare amongst the slaves of Haiti) to
keep up on developments in France. Toussaint was one of the first in Haiti to read the Declaration of the Rights of Man and to understand it’s importance for slaves of Haiti….”all men are created equal”. Toussaint would lead a slave revolt in Haiti.
Questions:
1) What was the main reason for French interest in colonizing Haiti?
2) What skill did Toussaint learn that most other slaves did not have?
3) What was the name of the document that Toussaint read?
4) What was so relevant about the document the Toussaint read?
Instructions: In order to accomplish your objective you will need to go through the attached document packet. Look for evidence that will either prove or disprove your case.
If you are defending Toussaint look for evidence that he was a loyal son of France and loyal to the goals of the French Revolution (You will need to look back through your notes to refresh yourself with the goals of the French Revolution). Underline key
phrases in the handouts and show them to the other members of your group. Compile a list of at least ten points that you all
agree upon that will help clear Toussaint of Napoleon’s charge, that he is an enemy of France.
If you are prosecuting Toussaint look for evidence that he was an enemy of France that he had his own agenda in Haiti. Look for
evidence that his actions went against the goals of the French Revolution set down in the Declaration of the Rights of Man (you
will need to look back through your notes to refresh yourself on these goals). Underline key phrases in the handouts and show
them to the other members of your group. Compile a list of at least ten points that you all agree upon that will help prove that
Toussaint is an enemy of France and deserves Napoleon’s wrath.
Some points to ponder and questions to answer:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
What were the goals of the French Revolution?
Who was Toussaint L’ouveture?
What did Toussaint L’ouveture accomplish?
What were Toussaint L’Ouveture’s goals?
What were Napoleon’s goals?
Goals of the French Revolution
Accomplishments of Toussaint
All men are equal
Abolishes slavery on the island
of Haiti
Government should protect natural rights
Created a liberal constitution for
Haiti protecting the rights of
ALL citizens.
A person is free to do as he
chooses so long as he does not
interfere with the rights of
others.
Rebuilt war damage and increased trade and agriculture.
Freedom of Religion (NO
STATE RELIGION)
Brought peace to the Haiti and
the Dominican Republic
Rights to property and to representation in Government
Protected the property rights of
Haitians of all social classes.
People will succeed based upon
ability, not because of the class
they are born into
Rose from a slave to become the
governor-general of Haiti leading the colony to independence.
Inspired by the American and
French Revolutions
The effect of Toussaint L’Overture:
Toussaint led a successful slave uprising against the French, he abolished slavery and he established Haiti as an independent part of the
French Empire. Napoleon, upon seizing power in France was desperate for the sugar revenue once provided by Haiti, reintroduces slavery
into Haiti and he sends an army to enforce his will. Toussaint defeats
Napoleon’s army however Toussaint is captured an jailed and eventually killed by Napoleon. Deprived of the sugar rich colony of Haiti
and desperate for money, Napoleon has little use for the much larger
Louisiana territory on the American mainland.
Access Toussaint; Did he live
up the goals of the French
Revolution ?
What does the shaded section of the map represent?
Timeline Activity
1776
1789
1791
1799
1801
1803
1804
1– French Revolution Begins
2– Toussaint L’Ouveture
leads Haitian Revolution
3– Toussaint is captured by
Napoleon
4– Napoleon gives up Haiti
& sells Louisiana to the U.S.
5- The Bastille is stormed
6– American Revolution
begins
7– Haiti declares itself a “Free
Republic”
8- Declaration of Right of
Man is signed
What are two long term causes of the Haitian Revolution? ______________________&____________________________________
What are two effects of the Haitian Revolution? ______________________________ & ____________________________________