AYITI

1804.The first years

AFTERMATH

13 years of war had decimated the country. Plantations went untended Hundreds of thousands had died in the

struggle. 100,000 in 1802 alone

Haiti isolated by world powers. All slave holding societies

Napoleon's dreams of American empire ended.

DESSALINES IN CHARGE

February 1804- Accuses French planters who had either returned or stayed in the colony with conspiring to bring French back.

Begins to massacre Whites on the island Reasons: return violences of slavery Worry about French return Take their wealth Hatred of whites Priests, doctors, apothecaries, artisans spared ‘Good Whites’ also sparred, those who had fought for

freedom and independence.

APRIL 28, 1804

Dessalines Proclaimes: “Yes we have repaid these cannibals, war

for war, crime for crime, outrage for out rage. I have saved my country, I have avenged the Americans. Never again shall colonists of European set foot on this soil as master or landowner. This shall henceforward be the foundation of our constitution… War to the death of the tyrants! This is my motto. Liberty! Independence is our rallying cry.

EXCEPT POLISH TROOPS. BLANC POLONE

Napoleon had conquered Poland. 5,000 Polish troops were part of the forces sent

to fight in Haiti Most died 700 returned, 400 or so stayed

Thought they were being sent to liberate people Realized it was to reinstate slavery. Defected from the French Jan Henryk Dąbrowski Articles 12-13 of 1805 constitution allow for

Germans and Poles to hold land in Haiti

MILITARY REIGN.

Dessalines only trusted the people he had fought with. Mulatto or Black. All major generals assigned command of a

region Petion- West Christophe-North Geffard- South Gabart- Artibonite

FEAR OF FRENCH RETURN

The Military rule was necessary to secure the country incase of a French invasion. This would plague Haitian leaders for the next

twenty years. Mountains and interior were where soldiers

were able to defeat French and English. Dessalines fortifies these areas. Some designed to defend Haiti from Santo

Domingo which still had French military stationed there.

BUILDING A COLONY INTO A COUNTRY Plantations and irrigation in ruins. Money to build these things spent on defending

the country. Everyone had to be trained in how to run a

government. He had killed most of the people who knew how to do

this. Many people did want to return to work in their

old plantations Invited African Americans to come live and work

in a free country.

PROBLEMS IN DOING SO

Majority of population was illiterate. Majority of the population spoke Kreyol

and new government chose to operate in French alienating the population

The population did not want to engage in plantation work, they wanted instead to work small plots of land.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Slave holding nations isolated Haiti U.S. worried that Haitian revolution would

spread. None of the colonial powers recognized

Haiti’s independence. Yet, both British, French, and American

traders were doing business in Haiti. Britain tried to enter into a unfavorable

trade agreement with Haiti and Dessalines refused them.

DESSALINES AS EMPEROR

Emphasized his role as the person who liberated Haiti and Haitians.

Issues the Constitution May 20, 1805 Crowns himself Emperor,

Responsibilities, Establish law and order Appoint civil and military functionaries Finances of the state Power of declaring war Commuting prison sentences

MINISTERS

Aided the emperor in governing Two ministers

Vernet- Minister of Interior and fincances Gerin- Minister of War Secretary of State- Juste Chanlette

CLAUSES OF CONSTITUTION

Other constitution regarding laws Regulated legitimacy for all children

whether born out of wedlock or not. Established a judicial system. Regulated administration of the state Freedom of religion Colors of the flag- Red and Black

DESSALINES RULE

January 1,1804- October 17,1806 Characterized by strong military type

leadership. Placed plantations in the hands of the state.

In the beginning he maintained large plantations Towards the end, he showed signs of distributing

land No Mulatto could claim their father’s land

Alienated many of his officers Faced strong resistance in the South

THE SOUTH

Legacy of Civil War Had killed many Mulattoes They were most numerous and powerful

When touring the south in 1806 he was upset that dyewood was being readied to ship over seas. He had outlawed logging Burn the harvest, which outraged

merchants

PONT ROUGE

Dessalines actions angered many generals Responded by issuing arrest warrants for generals

Generals Rose up against him Insurrection broke out in Port Salut October 8

Christophe acknowledged as leader Petion joins insurrection

Petion and Christophe come to an agreement accepting, allowing, or plotting Dessalines assignation

DEATH OF AN EMPEROR

Heads south to restore peace Leaves Marchland October 15 Ambush set for him at Pont Rouge Surrounded

Shot in the head Defilee gathers his remains Remembered as a Lwa- Ogou Dessalines

God of war

HENOCK TROUILLOT

In a play Defilee says “What the French could not accomplish,

have the really done it, these monsters …… Haiti as dared what Saint Domingue had tried in vain”