C7 (Explore): U.S. Recognition of Haiti
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Last updated about 3 years ago
3 questions
Haiti declared its independence from France on January 1st, 1804. From 1791 to 1804, the slaves of Haiti, then known as the French colony Saint-Domingue, fought off their French slave owners. France fought to hold on to Haiti, as it was their wealthiest colony, exporting sugar, indigo, and coffee. In 1804, under the leadership of Toussaint L’Ouverture, they succeeded in throwing off their colonial power. The Haitian Revolution marked a significant event in history. Haiti became the first modern state to abolish slavery, the first state in the world to be formed from a successful revolt of the lower classes (in this case slaves), and the second republic in the Western Hemisphere, only twenty-eight years behind the United States (Reinhardt 247).
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Why was the Haitian Revolution such a significant event in history?
Why was the Haitian Revolution such a significant event in history?
Despite this landmark event, the United States did little to respond to the Haitian Revolution. In fact, its silence is very telling: it was frightened because the Haitian Revolution threatened its economic interests. Southern plantation owners, fearful of revolts from their own slaves, worked to prevent their slaves from learning of the Haitian Revolution. They also pressured the United States government to refuse to recognize Haitian independence, which it did until 1862, after Southern states seceded from the Union.
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Why did the U.S. wait so long to "recognize" Haiti? ("recognize" = acknowledge that Haiti was actually a country)
Why did the U.S. wait so long to "recognize" Haiti? ("recognize" = acknowledge that Haiti was actually a country)
Some argue that beyond economic motives, Americans did not acknowledge the Haitian Revolution because they simply could not understand it. The concept of slaves overthrowing their French masters and ruling themselves in a nation was not only threatening, it was unthinkable, “a revolution by Blacks definitely was something that could not be” (Reinhardt 250).
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Why was the Haitian Revolution so difficult for many white Americans to understand?
Why was the Haitian Revolution so difficult for many white Americans to understand?