To what extent is the Haitian revolution connected with the French revolution?
As Michael McFaul, the United States Ambassador to Russia said, “In retrospect, all revolutions seem inevitable. Beforehand, all revolutions seem impossible.” The same was the case with the Haitian Revolution that started in 1791 and finally ended with the independence of Haiti in 1805. The slaves of Haiti could never have imagined rising up against the authorities let alone doing it and seeing it through till its end. Light a match and see the fire spread. The match was the French Revolution which not only left its permanent mark on history but became an example and inspiration for many revolutions to come. “The Haitian revolution was one of the two successful attempts, along with the American Revolution, to achieve permanent independence from a European colonial power for an American state before the 19th century. Furthermore it is generally considered the most successful slave rebellion ever to have occurred in the Americas and as a defining moment in the history of Africans in the New World.”
Being a chief producer of coffee and suger the Hatian colony was the most profitable possession of the French Empire. The northern shore of Saint-Domingue was the most fertile area with the largest sugar plantations. It was the area of most economic importance, especially as most of the colony's trade went through these ports. This area was the seat of power of the grands blancs, the rich white colonists who wanted greater autonomy for the colony, especially economically. Thus Haiti was a very important colony for the French to keep because of its immense economic importance. The significance of the monetary benefit can be seen from the fact that France required the capital to restore not only the damage done at home by the French Revolution but also the wars that were going on at that time. European-born Frenchmen monopolized administrative posts. The grands blancs, were chiefly minor aristocrats. The lower-class whites, petits blancs, included artisans, shopkeepers,
Being a chief producer of coffee and suger the Hatian colony was the most profitable possession of the French Empire. The northern shore of Saint-Domingue was the most fertile area with the largest sugar plantations. It was the area of most economic importance, especially as most of the colony's trade went through these ports. This area was the seat of power of the grands blancs, the rich white colonists who wanted greater autonomy for the colony, especially economically. Thus Haiti was a very important colony for the French to keep because of its immense economic importance. The significance of the monetary benefit can be seen from the fact that France required the capital to restore not only the damage done at home by the French Revolution but also the wars that were going on at that time. European-born Frenchmen monopolized administrative posts. The grands blancs, were chiefly minor aristocrats. The lower-class whites, petits blancs, included artisans, shopkeepers,