Write as one of the following: Louverture, a grand blanc, a gen de coleur, a
former slave, or Napoleon.
Character Based on Your Last Name:
Louverture (A-E)
A grand blanc (F-J)
A gen de coleur (K-N)
A former slave (O-S)
Napoleon (T-Z)
Discuss the
successes and failures of the
Haitian Revolution and respond to at least ONE other characters position.
As Napoleon, I believe that the Haitian Revolution has become and represented one of the biggest failures during my reign as Emperor. The fact that the French in one of the most prosperous territories of the Empire was not able to defeat an easily preventable slave uprising has embarrassed me and has displayed an inaccurate perception of my abilities as emperor. For instance, this has started to fuel and inspire other countries and enemies of our state to plot against us. Some of the good that has come out of this revolution, however, is the fact that France is now much more prepared in defending its territories and events such as these that have brought a bad image to France will not happen again. We are now much more knowledgeable in combating these threats.
ReplyDelete- Napoleon (James Wang)
Additionally, the fact that the slaves' organization was much more elaborate and effective than that of the French in such a prosperous territory marked the utter inefficiency and effectiveness of my control in the region. By making sure that the people of Saint-Dominique were better prepared and under tighter control would have prevented such an incident to take place. Another big failure of the Haitian Revolution was the fact that the French people living in Saint-Dominique could not defeat the revolution even though they had much more power.
Delete- Napoleon (James Wang)
As a person of color in Saint Dominguez, I disagree with your perception of success and failure. However I do agree that is is embarrassing for colonizers to be so easily beaten by a ragtag group of slaves with no military training and most of them malnutritioned. The slave rebellion is exactly the push the world needed in order to see just how inhumane they were towards people of color, and we are proud to be the first independent black nation built by slaves.
DeleteI find it more embarrassing of you to allow people of color to be treated in such awful manners that they were. This is what is embarrassing, not failing to stop the Haitian Revolution. What you are saying is that it wasn't a good thing for people to stand up for their rights and for liberty.
DeleteI agree that your empire's lack of attention for our colony was unwise from your standpoint. For me and my people, it represented hope and opportunity. We were able to be successful partially because of this, so thank you.
-Paige Landers (gen de couleur)
I'm glad that our revolution made you feel embarrassed as you should be. Your embarrassment will never compare to the horrible working conditions and discrimination that slaves and other den de couler had to go through. I'm glad that we were able to catch your attention with our powerful uprising. Our successful revolution just goes to show you and other countries that the lower class is no longer tolerant of the discrimination and inhumane conditions that we had to face for so long. I'm glad that you finally came to your senses and realized how powerful we really are.
Delete- Liana Bartolome, Toussaint L'Overture
You expect me, a grand blanc, to get my hands dirty? You say that it is a failure that we could not defend, but the truth of the matter is that we were outnumbered 1 to 100, at least! Also, these lower people have gained a lot of physical strength due to their work on the fields and in factories, so say how nobles are supposed to defend themselves against these brutish barbarians? I say that is the fault of your government, as you failed to send enough trained units to properly defend this place! You already failed at ruling France when you attacked Russia, and now you fail here! I say you are to blame, not us grand blancs here in Haiti!
Delete-Tommy J. Garringer (Grand Blanc)
I disagree with your stance regarding the revolution, I believe that the Haitian revolution had much success when revolting against and gaining independence from France. Becoming free from France made it so that those low in the social hierarchy were able to rise above those who had been oppressing them under their rule, during your reign. Therefore, success came to those who sought freedom and equality, like myself, through the Haitian revolution. Though to you this may have been a failure, to what is now the independent state of Haiti and all of its people, a massive success was accomplished. As equality, liberty, and independence was gained.
DeleteNicole Marinch, gen de coleur
As a previously owned slavery who bought my way to freedom, or what they call me, a gen de coleur, The Haitian Revolution makes me extremely proud of my people for their massive success. Even though they call me, “free”, I know I am still a slave in the eyes of a white man, therefore this revolution has brought hope to us, and was extremely successful in capturing the whip bearing whites. Some may disagree, but I would consider burning hundreds of plantations and capturing our previous masters something to be proud of. Although many people had to die, it is no different from what they did to us, beating, lynching, and slaving away at us for centuries, giving the whites a taste of their own medicine is the win this island needed.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if we were to tell inspired slave unions to do anything differently, there would be a list. Some failures included not abolishing slavery, with this grand opportunity, and Africans finally having the upper hand—why should we settle for anything less than freedom? Offering to send rebels back to plantations is a slap in the face. We also should not have thrived with Europeans when we outnumbered them, in the end all it gave us was the death of our leader Toussaint L’Ouverture.
Being a gen de couleur, I would like to express the pride I have for being a person of color, as well as being apart of the Haitian Revolution. I saw my brothers and sisters working in cruel conditions, whilst being whipped, lynched, starved, and more. This viciousness is disgusting and inhumane. I watched as my people successfully revolted and turned on their masters. They were able to do so because they united together with courage in their hearts. Once I saw this, I knew I needed to join the fight. We were able to bring to pass the only successful slave rebellion, and our timing (with Napoleon being preoccupied in France) aided us in our efforts.
ReplyDeleteAlthough we were able to do so much more than ever imagined, it is shame that we weren't able to do more. We were unable to develop our independence and individual identity from France. We failed to become more than a colony, which left ourselves open to more constrainments by the French.
-Paige Landers (gen de couleur)
While there is always more that we could have done, remember that we have made great strides in this Revolution. I, Touissant Louveture, led you to victory! We won our freedom and instituted it into our constitution. Not only that, but we were able to put me, a good and fair ruler in charge. There is no longer any threat of whites coming and taking over. Thanks to me, we had many successes in this Revolution and there is no way that you can deny that.
Delete-Amanda Durand (Touissant Louveture)
I believe that Saint Domingue was overall successful in our revolution. Although we experienced some obstacles along the way, we ultimately became the first independent black republic in the Western Hemisphere. Being a free gen de couleur who was born on a plantation, it hurt me to see to see my fellow brothers and sisters suffer in such horrible working conditions. They were repeatedly whipped and any injuries they already had, the plantation owners would only make it worse by rubbing spices in the wounds. Witnessing the appalling slave treatment motivated me to do something to change it. Because of this, I started and led the Haitian Revolution. During the revolution, we were able to grab the attention of France by destroying their precious plantations and killing many slave owners. Our actions were enough to break us away from France and gain our independence.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit there were a few obstacles that our revolution faced. Napoleon sent in troops and arrested me. Although I was no longer leading the revolution once I was in holding, my followers resisted the French troops. Once we gained our independence, our stability wasn't restored. Haiti's economy was destroyed and public administrators were corrupted. Some may see this as a failure of ours but it only goes to show that our effect was so great and that our revolution really was successful.
- Liana Bartolome, Toussaint L'Overture
Being Touissant Louveture, I think that the Haitian Revolution was a big success. First of all, the slaves of Haiti won their freedom. For a minute there, I thought that we would lose and the slaves would have to go back to forced labor on the plantations when I offered a deal to the white people. But due to their ignorance and thirst for vengeance, they refused the best offer they would ever receive. After they refused my offer, we got help and eventually won the war. We instituted a constitution that abolished slavery and made great strides for the black people of Haiti. While these things were good for the people, there were also some things that I personally gained from the Haitian Revolution. I was instituted as the ruler of Haiti and I now also had the right to appoint anyone I wanted to be the next ruler. So overall, the Haitian Revolution was a great success for both the people and me.
ReplyDelete-Amanda Durand (Touissant Louveture)
DeleteAs a grand blanc, I have to say that the Haitian Revolution was a grand failure. We give these commoners work and food to survive and for what? A revolution? Absolutely preposterous, is what it is! Then they decide to come and offer a "deal", and some deal it was! Treat them better? They were already getting a job and food, what more could they want. If they wanted more they could have obtained their freedom like the gens de coleur, they seemed perfectly happy with life before the Revolution. The only good thing that came out of this revolution is that the government had less power as well. Serves them right! They didn't send enough people to stop this slave revolt, thinking it is easy when you are outnumbered 1 to 100 at least! Once again, I say this dreadful revolution was a complete failure!
ReplyDelete-Tommy J. Garringer (Grand Blanc)
DeleteAs Toussaint Louverture I believe you are completely mistaken in the idea that the Haitian Revolution was a failure. In fact, it was a great success when you look at it from the eyes of the liberated. It seems that you believe only housing and food for slaves was enough, but I am educated in the Enlightenment and I believe that slaves are people and they need more than just that to survive.
Delete~Ryan Chanthapadith, Toussaint Louverture
DeleteI'd have to respectfully disagree with you. As a gen de coleur, I have seen and experienced the oppression by those who think that they are superior, including the grand blancs, to us people of color. Even though I am free and have more rights, you guys seem to group us all together and refuse to recognize our separate identities. In fact, we are a whole different class! You have no right to say that we are being disrespectful and ungrateful because you have no idea of the conditions that me and my fellow people have been through for your benefit. This revolution was not a failure but necessary to push us towards egalitarianism.
Delete- Tammy Lam/gen de coleur
DeleteAs Napoleon, I have to completely agree with you on the fact that the Haitian Revolution was definitely a failure. This revolution has completely demonstrated our inability to control our territories and has brought an overall negative effect on France. However, I do not agree with you on the fact that a good thing that came out of the revolution was the fact that the government was weaker. This was not beneficial due to the fact that this has lessen the ability that I have as a ruler and will only bring more problems to France.
Delete- Napoleon (James Wang)
As Napoleon I'd have to agree with you. The entirety of this revolution was a mess that made me look like a bad leader. My sole mission was to gain more funds from Haiti to better support my goal to grow a world empire. Instead, I had to deal with these moneymaking objects killing my men, and taking up resources that could've been used in directly fighting the Spanish and the British.
DeleteI am a genes de coleur, a person of color that is free in Haiti. I am in a group of around 30,000 free people of color in Haiti half of which were children of enslaved women and French men and plantation owners and the other were former slaves who bought their own freedom or were given freedom by their masters. Therefore, I was slightly above slaves in the social hierarchy, but was still below all the Europeans and other individuals in Haiti. Therefore, many of my people worked as shop keepers, merchants, and planters. As a person of color, I was denied connections to Africa and therefore embraced the French culture, I dressed like a Frenchmen and had many of their habits, through I never was abel to claim French citizenship. This made me and those like me angry with the French. In turn, I supported the Haitian Revolution as I desired to have independence from France and to be allowed to have citizenship in the place where I live and contribute to. Additionally, as a person of color I still suffered from discrimination at the hands of the whites in Saint-Domingue. As the revolution preached idea of equality for people of color, I fully supported its opposition towards the whites and the ideologies it was fighting for. Hence, the success of Haiti gaining its independence and forming a republic ran by its people, even those of color, is fully supported by myself and others in my social class. Overall, the Haitian Revolution was a great success.
ReplyDeleteNicole Marinch, Gens de coleur
As Toussaint Louverture of the Haitian Revolution, I agree with your stance that it was a great success. Although, equality was not completely met, it was a large step for both the creoles and the slaves to reach the egalitarian goal. The republic that we built with our own hands also allowed, I, Louverture to become ruler and increase the federal government
Delete-Caden Arai, Louverture
I, Toussaint Louverture, agree on your stance of the Haitian Revolution. You having the desire to have independence from France and to be allowed to have citizenship in the place where you lived and contribute to to the land was a brave move and on of the reasons the rebellion started to begin with. Fighters such as you are the reason the movement was a success.
Delete- Nicole Datastanyan/ Louverture
As the face of the revolution and the liberator of the people of saint domingue I would personally like to reflect on the revolution. I can say with confidence that the revolution to the common people was a massive success and a stepping stone for a better nation. We were able to create better working conditions, end colonial control over the island and showed the heirachs of europe that us black and mixed people have a voice that matters. Not only was I able to free the people of this island I was able to set up a functional government and keep the economy in good condition.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are able to accomplish such a great feat in the name of man not everything can be perfect and some concessions will have to be made for the stability of the nation. Particularly the revolution failed to give the majority of people more opportunities other than the plantations. But due to the nature of our economy we had to make this compromise for the future of the island. This would mean industrialization to become a strong nation was unlikely and the never ending suffering of the people even after the revolution would be the failures of my movement.
-James Baker, Louverture
My name or alias is Toussaint Louverture and it is undeniable that the Haitian Revolution was a success. As a leader of the independence movement, I strategized with the peasantry and creole class in Haiti to gain control of the French colony. With our large military force we continued to push into the colony and free more slaves along the way. The only time when it looked like we had a possibility of having an unsuccessful revolt was when Napoleon sent his troops to Haiti. The fool however underestimated our forces and both the slaves and creoles outnumbered the opposing forces by the hundreds. The result of the Haitian Revolution was the slaves gaining their freedom and me becoming the ruler of Haiti. The Haitian Revolution was a success for the majority of the population (particularly the lower and middle class) and myself as my social status to that of a . ruler.
ReplyDeleteCaden Arai, Louverture
DeleteAs Napoleon, or "the fool," I disagree with your claim that the revolution was a success. The only "success" that your people had was making my empire and I look weak and like a failure, which we are not. My troops are extremely powerful and if they had been more prepared for this situation, the slaves and the creoles would have no chance of a successful revolt. This slave uprising was not necessary.
Deletekacie/Napoleon
As Napoleon, I firmly believe that the Haitian Revolution had more failures than successes. It has portrayed me as something I am not. Due to my people failing to avert the slave uprising, I am seen as a lame excuse of an emperor. However, this is not at all what I truly am. Since the French and I are being depicted as weak, various countries have now become our enemies, which will be even more detrimental to us. If we had just been more cautious and prepared for this event, the French would be much safer. The French that have established themselves in Saint-Domingue also failed to stop this revolution and slave uprising from occurring. I had hopes of regaining people of Saint-Domingue, so this uprising was the complete opposite of what I wanted.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, the only "good" thing that really came out of this revolution is that the French will now (hopefully) be more prepared just in case another similar event takes place. We now know what to do if there is another slave uprising/revolution, so I will no longer be seen as a bad emperor. Overall, this revolution was pretty unsuccessful and it made me and the rest of the country seem weak, when in reality, our abilities are so much more.
You have shown yourself to be a tyrant and a man who cares little about the lives of his subjects. None so apparent than in your former colony of Saint Domingue as men. Women and children would work themselves to death as you sit in you throne in france completely oblivious the suffering across the sea. You even admit that when you tried to put us back to work it made the situation worse. You are weak and the people of Saint Domingue are stronger than you will ever be and I will see them to glory.
Delete-James Baker, Louverture
I, Toussaint Louverture, highly believe the Haitian Revolution was a success. The Haitian Revolution was, in fact, the most successful slave uprising in all of history. One of the most successful outcomes of the Haitian Revolution was putting an end to slavery as well putting an end to the French control over the colony in Saint-Dominique. My people were finally free form the cruel life of being a slave and being owned as property. With this uprising also came better working conditions for my people, finally giving them the opportunity to be in a more stable spot.
ReplyDeleteHowever, with every great success also comes failure. Haiti’s plantations were the closest thing to industrial factory production which was accomplished in agriculture. Slaves were no longer considered property, but they still owed their labor to the French. With the rebellion, complete freedom did not come to the slaves in Haiti.
- Nicole Datastanyan, Louverture
DeleteAs a grand blac, I disagree with your position. The haitian revolution was a failure because it showed the failure of the French government and the upper class. Additionally, the revolution did away with beliefs and traditions that had kept control over people for decades, even centuries. All this change will only spur chaos in the colonies. Those who gained control over Saint Domingue have no idea how to lead and will only increase suffering without our influence and leadership.
Delete-Kristana Ferguson (Grand Blanc)
As a grand blanc, I personally believe that the Haitian Revolution was a failure in the leadership of my class and the French government. We, as the superior class in Saint Domingue, should not have lost to an inferior group of people we had control over. It is an embarrassment to my class as well as the French government. We housed and provided work for our slaves. Our thanks was an uprising. The Haitian Revolution marks the first successful slave revolution in modern history, and what does that say about my class’ leadership? It highlights our failures to control the masses. My people were terrified as both our beliefs and traditions were disregarded. I suppose this revolution was a success for the lower classes because of that ‘enlightenment’ thing. My class and I hope it doesn’t last.
ReplyDelete-Kristana Ferguson (Grand Blanc)
I very much disagree with your thoughts about the Haitian Revolution. Specifically, the "provisions" you gave to your slaves. You make it sound like you gave them a home to live in or even decent living spaces. The slaves you owned had to live through cruel circumstances everyday because you couldn't value their life as a person. The Revolutions relinquished them from this terrible treatment and allowed them to be free from appalling people who think owning slaves is morally acceptable. Yes, the Revolutions was a success for our "low" lives only because we finally got the rights we should've been given since birth.
DeleteAmber Cho, Toussaint Louverture
As a gen de coleur, I strongly disagree with your views on the Haitian Revolution. The slaves you owned we my brothers and sisters. Even though I have earned my freedom as a person of color, I grew up on a plantation. These slaves have been tortured and starved in the most inhumane way. I believe that the Haitian Revolution was well deserved to make a point about how fed up fellow slaves are about being forced to work under such cruel working conditions.
Delete-Brooke McManus/ gen de coleur
As a gen de couleur, I strongly disagree that the Haitian revolution was a failure. You may think so because you were not in our position, if you were you would understand why we fought. There is no need for us to say thanks to you and your class because you are the ones who tortured and killed us for the smallest of things. I do agree that you and your class were unable to control the masses, but I think it was meant to be that way because it was time for a change. The people of color in Haiti deserved justice and we got it for ourselves.
DeleteAvi McGaughey/ gen de couleur
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAs Toussaint Louverture, I believe that the Haitian Revolution was a great success in my eyes. The revolution to me was a resemblance of a display of power of the people. It also reflected on the successes of the ideas of Enlightenment and its application to colored people such as myself. Furthermore, our army was able to defeat three different Great Powers in their attempts to seize the colony. The final and most obvious success was the freedom of the colony of Saint Domingue to create the nation of Haiti.
ReplyDeleteSome failures occurred in the years after the war, where I was killed and the economy was a bit underwhelming, to say the least. Additionally, industrialization was at a halt due to the presence of the plantations.
~Ryan Chanthapadith, Toussaint Louverture
DeleteAs a gen de coleur, I am aware that I do have more rights and privileges than my fellow people of color; however, that does not invalidate my concerns and oppression by the French. Their union officials refuse to give us citizenship and try to group us together with everyone else, even if they are in a lower class than us. Because of the Haitian Revolution, the first successful slave rebellion, the white men in control finally have to face us and give us what we deserve. I rally here with those below me to fight those above us - those who abuse their power. This, however, hasn't resulted in being completely at the same level as the dominant whites. While this revolution had pushed these better and more equal ideologies, those in power haven't solidified them.
ReplyDelete- Tammy Lam/gen de coleur
The Haitian Revolution was a huge success is my eyes being Toussaint Louverture. The events that took place freed slaves, something that is morally wrong. The cause of this was the disconnection from French rule, which suffocated our lives because of the harsh and unjust rule. For example, the truly cruel treatment of slaves in their work environment caused pain and death due to the harsh punishment such as amputations and hangings. In addition, I gave representation along with freedom to the black population as well as mixed ethnic groups in the new government I set up.
ReplyDeleteBut, all revolts come with a price. Once our independence was achieved, laborers were no longer termed “slaves”, but still were forced to work on the plantations to produce crops. In addition, the government soon corrupted due to the failure of our administration to lead. Although these negative impacts on our nation of Haiti set us back some, in the long run, we run ourselves and have the independence and freedom to achieve true peace and equality.
Amber Cho, Toussaint Louverture
As Napoleon, I feel as though the Haitian Revolution itself was a failure on my part. I’m one of the most ruthless conquerors and best leaders France ever had, and yet I let Haiti slip right from my fingers all because some slave organized an army that was somehow up to par with MY troops. A massive failure on my part was allowing both Spain AND Britain to be able to gang up on my country, forcing me to free these slaves in San Domingue. Another failure was how thousands of my able frenchmen caught Yellow Fever. If anything, a small success that came from this mess was how Toussaint L’Ouvertue so kindly swapped allegiances to fight for his former country against the Spanish and the English. The independence of this small nation foiled my goal in creating a new world empire. Overall, the failures outbalance the successes.
ReplyDelete-Claire Ting/Napoleon
I am a gen de couleur, meaning that I am a person of color who earned my freedom. I was originally born on a plantation and it pains me to see my brothers and sisters suffering under harsh working conditions with such harsh punishments when they stand up for themselves. That is why I believe that the Haitian Revolution what an amazing step in every person of color having their well earned freedom. Slaves began to overthrow their masters and united as one to fight for their rights, which is why I decided to join in. Although I believe that the Haitian Revolution was an amazing step in history, I do believe that we should have had more of an impact, due to the fat that not all of us gained our independence and freedom in France.
ReplyDelete-Brooke McManus/Gen de coleur
I am a gen de coleur, a former slave and I bought my freedom. Even though I gained my freedom from slavery, I am still low on the social hierarchy in Haiti. Europeans will always see me as lesser and I will never truly be equal to them or have the rights they do. That's why when the Haitian Revolution came around I was glad to join. I still remember watching the other slaves being beaten for small things or even no reason as I was, or even those that were killed. I wanted justice for for people like me and freedom for those that didn't yet have it. I was willing to fight for any chance of freedom and justice for the people of color in Haiti. I think that our revolution was huge success, we rose up against our oppressors and burned down the places that were so cruel to us. Even though it was violent, what we did to them was no worse than what they did to us, and at least we had a reason. We were successful in our uprising and we got our nation's independence from France eventually. However I do think that a failure of the revolution is that we stopped fighting at some point and we did not get the justice we truly deserved. We did not get the abolishment of slavery nor did we get equal rights to the Europeans. Overall I do think that the Haitian Revolution was successful and helped the position of people of color in Haiti a lot.
ReplyDeleteAvi McGaughey/ gen de couleur