The Black Jacoins Analysis

1. Quotation:
“Fear of the restoration of slavery was always the cause of the trouble. The British had no intention of abolishing slavery, neither had the Spaniards… All parties are confused on ignorant Negros by playing on their fears and accusing every other party – the French and Toussaint himself, wishing to restore slavery. (James, C.L.R. p.151)
2. Argument:
In The Black Jacobins, C.L.R. James, does research in Paris on the Haitian Revolution, which was from 1791-1803. Toussaint L’Ouvertureand led the Haitian Revolution. The Haitian Revolution was against colonialism and slavery, which was a successful against the French colonial. James does not put his focus on racial distinctions, but focuses on the process of class distinctions and
James, does research in Paris on the Haitian Revolution, which was from 1791-1803. Toussaint L’Ouvertureand led the Haitian Revolution. The Haitian Revolution was against colonialism and slavery, which was a successful against the French colonial. James does not put his focus on racial distinctions, but focuses on the process of class distinctions and economic status. James focuses on the French Revolution by comparing French Revolution with the Haitian Revolution because of the similar events that took place in both Revolutions. He was able to examine severe conditions of slavery with a focus on slave owner’s economic and political status. I believe that James argument is to demonstrate how colonialism creates a separation in class distinctions; throughout the revolution class distinction is an important factor. Toussaint L’Ouvertureand accepted slavery as it was and moved passed it by bringing everyone together. James believes that L’Ouvertureand was able to create and demand change due to his cultural advantages. (James, C.L.R. p.19) The quote above is an asset to The Black Jacobins, because it shows how L’Ouvertureand was once hoped to restore slavery and turn against the Black community, but he did not. He swore to stand in obedience and fight for his community and he realized that the rich wanted slavery to be restored to put blacks in their
In Black Skin, White Masks captures and analyzes the experiences of the Black community and how being Black has disadvantages economically and socially. In Black Skin, White Masks, there were people in the Black community trying to hide their identity by pretending to be someone or something for acceptance and/or power in a white society. In The Black Jacobins, I believe that the class divisions were set to show who holds power economically and socially. The class divisions were “big whites”, “small whites”, “Mulattoes”, “free black”, and then “slaves”. In my opinion, fear discouraged L’Ouvertureand from wanting to fight against colonist in the beginning, due to wanting to feel accepted in society. In both readings, there was trouble with Black people accepting their identity and deciding not to be a mirror image of the