The Rare Victory of a Slave Revolt: The Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) stands as a singular historical achievement, marking the only successful slave revolt that culminated in establishing an independent nation free from slavery. The revolution’s success was shaped by a confluence of unique factors, including the brutal conditions endured by enslaved people in Saint-Domingue, their unity and organization, and the influence of liberty and equality ideals from the French Revolution. Strategic military leadership, internal divisions among colonial powers, and external factors such as yellow fever weakening French forces further contributed to this unprecedented outcome. This research explores the socio-political, economic, and ideological conditions that made the Haitian Revolution not only possible but triumphant, setting it apart from other failed slave revolts in history.
(Spring 2024).