HISTORY

GRADE 9 _____
DATE: __________________
TEACHER: _______________________________________________________

GROUP MEMBERS: ______________________________________________

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The Haitian Revolution: Lesson Workbook and Resource Pack

 Question: What was the first nation to permanently abolish
slavery?

Discuss in your group which nation you think was the first to abolish slavery permanently. When you think
you know, circle it on the world map. If you are not sure, have a guess.
The word
‘abolish’
means to put
an end to
something.

The first nation to abolish slavery was also the only What do you think is happening in this picture? Try
place where a successful slave rebellion has ever to sum up your thoughts in key words. For example,
happened! ‘fighting’. (4 marks)

Define the term ‘slave rebellion’ (2 marks):

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Haiti is a country in the Caribbean that used to

be known as Saint Domingue. In the next few
lessons, we will discover why Haiti is so important
in the history of the abolition of slavery.

You will also learn about some of the important

people involved in the Haitian Revolution, when
the slaves in Saint Domingue rebelled and fought
against the French troops.  
 
But first, we are going to look at what some of
the African nations were like before the slave
trade.
 Case Study: The Kingdom of Mali in
Africa
Create a In the article below, highlight/ Summarise each
title for annotate any key words or sentences paragraph in 2
each bullet points
paragraph (feel free to use your highlighters)
(8 marks)
(4 marks)
The Kingdom of Mali was located in Western Africa. It  Mali is in Western Africa
(For example) developed along the Niger River and eventually spread across near the Sahara Desert
The Kingdom of 1,200 miles; its northern border was just south of the Sahara  Dated from 1200-1600
Mali: when and Desert and covered regions of modern-day African countries
where? including Mali, Niger, Senegal and Gambia. The kingdom ruled
this area between 1200 and 1600.

The government of the Mali Empire was led by the emperor

Title: who was called the Mansa. Perhaps the most famous of the
Mali Emperors was Mansa Musa. He became famous because
of his lavish trip to Mecca (a very important place for Muslims
to visit). It is said he was extremely rich as he brought camels
loaded with gold and took 60,000 people with him on his
pilgrimage.

Most importantly however, Mansa brought a lot of new ideas

and people back to Mali, including architects, poets and
Title: teachers, who helped to improve his empire.The religion of
Islam played an important part in the government. However,
even though the kings followed Islam, they did not force
others to convert. Many people practiced a version of Islam
that combined Islamic beliefs with local traditions.

Although there were many small tribes and cultural groups

Title: within the Mali Empire, most of these groups were considered
part of the Mande peoples. Farmers were highly regarded in
Malian society because they provided food for the nation. Just
below the farmers were the artists. Other groups included
fishermen, scribes, civil servants, soldiers.

The Malian Empire was rich in valuable resources like copper

and salt, which were traded for gold. Timbuktu was an
Title: important trade centre in the Malian Empire which prospered
in the 13th and 15th centuries. Timbuktu was not only an
important trade centre but was also where Mansa Musa built
Mosques and Universities. One of the oldest institutions of
higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa, Sankoré University,
was built here and still teaches students to this day. Due to
both these things, Timbuktu gained international fame, being
well known to both Europe and Asia.
 A slave
colony is an
area of land
How did Haiti (Saint Domingue) where the
become a slave colony? economy
relies on

Christopher Columbus was the first European person to visit the Caribbean island of Haiti in
1492. He quickly claimed the island as property of the Spanish Crown and named it La Isla
Espaniola, which means “The Spanish Island”.

Later named Hispaniola, the island was home to indigenous (native) peoples, many of whom
suffered and died after catching European diseases that they had not come into contact with
before.

By the start of the 17th century the Spanish Empire was in economic crisis and, in 1625, the
island was split. The East of the Island remained under Spanish control and was then called
Santo Domingo, and the West of the Island was taken by France and called Saint Domingue.

1. What was the name of the island before it As the colony grew, the economy was based on the
was known as Saint Domingue? (1 mark) growth of plantation crops. Enslaved Africans were
____________________________ brought to Saint Domingue to grow these crops
sugar and coffee that could be sold in Europe.
2. What led to it becoming Saint Domingue in
1625? (1 mark) Initially, the colony grew slowly, but by the 1760’s
____________________________ Saint Domingue began to expand dramatically.
Before long, Saint Domingue alone produced 60% of
3. How much sugar and coffee was produced the sugar and 40% of the coffee that would be sold
there? (1 mark) ______________________ into Europe. The island became known as The Pearl
of the Antilles to reflect its beauty and its value to
4. Why was it known as the Pearl of the France.
Antilles? (1 mark) ____________________
The island of Saint Domingue had become the most
5. How many slaves were transported to Saint profitable colony in the French Empire, and some
Domingue each year? (1 mark) historians argue that it was the most valuable
____________________________ colony in the world.
6. What was the name of the French law that
allowed violence towards slaves? (1 mark)
____________________________

This dramatic growth relied upon the exploitation of enslaved Africans. Between 1715 and 1779 the number of
slaves in Saint Domingue grew from 35,000 to 250,000, and by the 1780’s around 30,000 enslaved Africans were
imported every year.

There were extreme levels of violence and mortality in the colony, after the King of France (Louis XIV) enacted a
law called the Code Noir (meaning “the Black Code”), which permitted barbaric violence and capital punishment
towards slaves.

While the slave population continued to grow this does not account for all those lives lost at the hands of slavers -
in total 800,000 Africans were imported to Saint Domingue, nearly double the amount taken to the whole of North
America. One third of all those forced into slavery went to Saint Domingue.
Question Why do you think the slaves on Saint
of the Day Domingue wanted to revolt by 1791?

In groups, come up with some ideas about why you think the slaves on
Saint Domingue wanted to revolt by 1791. What do you think led to the
revolution? Have a think about the living conditions, working conditions,
and the legal rights of the slaves. Write your ideas down in the brainstorm
box below. (5 marks)

Remember

‘To revolt’ means

to rebel against
the government or
those in charge.

Who would the

slaves be rebelling
against in 1791 and
why would they do
this?
True or False……….?
In the list of statements below, there are 2 true statements and 1 false statement. Circle
which one you think each is. (3 marks)

1. The colony of Saint Domingue was the most profitable colony in the French Empire, because the
plantations produced 60% of the sugar and 40% of the coffee for the rest of the world

True or False

2. The Kingdom of Mali was ruled by Mansa Musa, who is the richest man who has ever lived. He lived
in and governed Timbuktu, and was a patron of poetry and architecture

True or False

3. The health and safety of African slaves in the French colonies was protected by the ‘Code Noir’, a law
made by King Louis XIV

True or False
 The Haitian Revolution Timeline
The Haitian revolution lasted 13 years from 1791-1804 when St Domingue (Haiti) gained its
to work on the plantations to re-start the
independence. It is the only example of a successful slave rebellion.
economy.

The people of St Domingue get inspired

Governor of the colony for life
In August 1791, slaves rose up in plantations
In July 1801, a new constitution was issued in
in St Domingue as they were inspired by the
St Domingue confirming its loyalty to French
French Revolution of 1789. They wanted to
empire. Toussaint was also made governor of
gain an improvement in their conditions and
the colony for life, with power to appoint his
achieve Equality and Liberty. The revolt
own successor. However, this alarmed the
spread and white authorities were soon
new French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte.
fighting back.
As a result, he sent a French fleet of more
than 50 ships and 30,000 troops to St
Domingue to reassert control – the fleet
British and Spanish invasion arrived on 5th February 1802 and war quickly
In 1793 Britain and Spain declared war on broke out.
revolutionary France and saw an opportunity
to seize St Domingue. Spain allied themselves
with rebellious slave leaders like Toussaint
The Fall of Toussaint
L’Ouverture. In desperation, the French
The war resulted in heavy losses on both
authorities in St Domingue declared an end to
sides, and eventually an uneasy peace was
slavery in August 1793. This encouraged the
agreed. The truce allowed the French to
rebel slave leaders, including Toussaint
established control in May 1802. The French
L’Ouverture, to change sides to join the
re-established slavery on the 20th May 1802,
French against the British and Spanish.
and Toussaint was arrested and sent to
France where he died in prison in April 1803.

Toussaint consolidates power

In 1796 Toussaint ruled as Governor-general Renewed Revolt
with the consent of the French governor in St Between October-November 1802 there was
Domingue. Between 1797-1798 he continued renewed revolt against French troops by black
to consolidate his power. Additionally, after generals Dessalines and Christophe. They
defeats in the war, Britain secretly negotiated succeeded in driving out French forces, after
with Toussaint. In 1798, British forces were they defeated them at the Battle of Vertières
withdrawn, and Toussaint had emerged as the on the 18th November 1803.
most powerful General in St Domingue. He
acted independently from the French
Independence!
authorities and ordered the population back
The republic of Haiti and its independence
was declared on the 1st January 1804.
Dessalines was appointed governor for life.
He later proclaimed himself to be emperor.
Find the key events on the previous page an
timeline (28 marks)
 The Leaders of the Haitian Revolution

From 1791 to 1804 the slaves of Saint Domingue rebelled against their slave masters and
against the French, British and Spanish armies to earn their freedom and declare an
Independent Haiti. Two of the most important figures during this period were Toussaint
L’Ouverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines. They both had very different lives in Saint
Domingue, but they each made a significant contribution to the only successful slave
rebellion in history.
Toussaint L’Ouverture

● His father was the son of an African Chieftain, who was bought by a slaver who
allowed him to cultivate a plot of land. He became Catholic, got married and had 8
children, of which Toussaint was the eldest.
● Whilst he remained a slave, he was part of a privileged caste on the island. He was
taught to read and write, and he was taught French and Latin.
● He became the Coachman to his master, and eventually he gained the title of
“Steward of the Livestock on the Estate”, a title usually reserved for the whites.
● Toussaint allies with Spanish forces against the french oppressors in 1793.
● After France agreed to grant the slaves of Saint Domingue their freedom, Toussaint
changed sides and joined the French army to fight against the British and Spanish.
● In 1795 Toussaint led an army of 5,000 against the British
● By 1798 Toussaint had consolidated French power, as the British retreated
● A constitution was put into place in Saint Domingue in 1801 that established
Toussaint as “Governor of the colony for life”, before he was arrested and taken to
France a year later.
● Toussaint died in Fort de Joux prison in Paris on April 7th 1803.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

● Dessalines was born a slave in Saint Domingue, taking the surname of the slaver who
owned his mother.
● Labouring as a slave for many years in the sugar plantations, he became a Foreman
(somebody in charge of other slaves).
● Dessalines joined in with the initial rebellions in northern Saint Domingue, where he
first met Toussaint L’Ouverture.
● By the time conflict had begun once again between the slaves and the French army,
Dessalines had risen to be a military leader amongst the slaves, leading fresh revolts
against the French in 1802.
● He led an army to victory at the Battle of Vertieres, the final and decisive battle
before independence would be secured.
● On 1 January 1804 Dessalines declared the Independent nation of Haiti, and himself
Governor of Haiti for Life.
 What was Toussaint’s main
What was Toussaint aim?
Louverture’s early life
“Let the sacred flame of liberty that like?
we have won lead all our acts. Let us
go forth to plant the tree of liberty,
breaking the chains of those of our
brothers still held captive under the
shameful yoke of slavery.”
Toussaint Louverture in
a letter to the General
Assembly in 1792

Did Toussaint accomplish

his main aim? Why / why
not?

Did Dessalines accomplish

his main aim? Why / why
not?

“There is no longer any doubt, my

dear General, the country is ours
and the famous who will have it is
decided.”
Jean-Jacques Dessalines,
writing to a fellow General
after the Battle of Vertieres
What was Dessalines’ early What was Dessalines’ main
life like? aim?
 How did the Haitian Revolution impact countries
throughout the world? Read through this fact
sheet and annotate your maps on the next page.

The Impact of the Haitian Revolution on Britain

The Haitian Revolution had a huge economic effect on Britain, as Britain had received many
of its goods, such as coffee and sugar, from Saint Domingue. The slaves who worked on
these plantations had rebelled, and so these products were no longer produced by slave
labour. Previously, many in Britain had argued that the slave trade was essential for Britain’s
economy. However, the historian W. E. B. Du Bois argues that the financial impact of slave
uprisings, such as the Haitian revolution, caused many in Britain to be more accepting of
abolition later on.

The Impact of the Haitian Revolution on France

The earlier French Revolution had inspired many in

Saint Domingue to rebel against the French colonists.
After defeating the French at the Battle of Vertières,
Haiti was declared a republic and independent from
France’s control. France’s new leader, Napoleon, had
tried to take back control of Haiti, but his failure led to
him withdrawing the French troops from North
America, and eventually selling Louisiana to the US.

The Impact of the Haitian Revolution on Haiti

At the end of the Haitian revolution in 1804, Haiti was declared as an independent nation, which
was no longer under France’s control. Also, those who lived in Haiti were all considered to be
legally free. The success of the Haitian Revolution means that Haiti is the only nation to have a
successful slave rebellion.

The Impact of the Haitian Revolution on the US

The uprisings and successful revolution in Saint Domingue inspired many slaves who lived in
the United States. This worried many slave and plantation owners, as they feared rebellions
and violence. In fact, the US did not officially recognise Haiti as an independent nation until
1862, 58 years after the end of the Haitian Revolution. Many white people that had lived in
Saint Domingue during the revolution fled to the US to escape the violence during
Dessaline’s rule. This also increased fear amongst those who were against abolition, as they
feared these rebellions would come to America.
 2
What Impact did the Haitian Revolution have on
Abolition in Britain?

While there was limited support for the abolition of

slavery in Britain before the Haitian Revolution
(William Wilberforce, a British MP, tried many times
to get Parliament to abolish slavery), there were
several barriers that were preventing it from
happening. The success of the Haitian Revolution
removed many of these barriers, with the slave
trade being abolished 3 years later in Britain with
the Slave Trade Act 1807. This bill only abolished the
trade of slaves, not the practice of slavery on the
British colonies. This remained legal until the Slavery
Abolition Act was passed in 1833.

Barriers to Abolition in Britain

● Slave rebellions in Saint Domingue, alongside revolution in France, worried British
leaders that if they supported abolition there could be a revolution in Britain too.
● The slave trade was a large part of the British economy at the time that they didn’t
want to give up.
● While at war with France, Britain didn’t want to give an economic advantage to them
by pulling out of the slave trade first.
● Parliament was the only place slavery could be officially abolished in Britain, and
with pressure placed on it by those who earned lots of money in the slave trade,
there wasn’t enough support.

Impacts of the Haitian Revolution

● The success of the revolution meant that, rather than worrying about revolution
happening in Britain, British leaders were now worried about revolts happening in
their slave colonies if abolition didn’t come soon.
● The amount of money to be made from the slave trade would decrease after the
Haitian Revolution, as taxes would rise across Europe to make up for the loss of
sugar and coffee being imported.
● With France removed as a key slaving nation (remember, Haiti had been the most
profitable colony in the whole French Empire), Britain could look to abolish slavery
without giving France an advantage.
 ● With all of this considered, support for abolition in Parliament grew. Three years
later, the slave trade was abolished in 1807, with slavery itself abolished in 1883.
"By what force of magic could Akala (Kingslee James McLean
an educated adult be compelled Daley)
to believe that one man, all by
himself, could put an end to a
British rapper, journalist, author,
few centuries of tri-continental
multimillion-pound business activist and poet. Author of Natives:
enterprise - and genocide - by Race and Class in the Ruins of
the sheer force of his moral Empire.
convictions?" Akala, Natives

"It is a measure of Wilberforce’s

commitment to abolition that throughout
John Oldfield these turbulent years he went on
presenting to Parliament his annual
motions against the slave trade.
Professor of Slavery and Eventually, the tide began to turn in the
Emancipation at The abolitionists’ favour. Events in the
University of Hull, Caribbean, particularly the Saint
from Abolition of the Domingue slave uprising (1791) and the
slave trade and slavery in emergence of Haiti (1804) as an
independent Black republic, convinced
Britain published by the many MPs that it might be worth
British Library. sacrificing the slave trade, if by doing so
that meant reducing the possibility of
further rebellions and therefore

“I have long revered the name of

Wilberforce, the parliamentarian from British MP William Hague
Hull, whose decades-long fight to
abolish and suppress the slave trade Author of William
made him one of the greatest
Wilberforce: The Life of the
campaigners—indeed, one of the
greatest liberators —in the whole of Great Anti-Slave Trade
British history. The tale of his work— Campaigner, speaking at a
and, importantly, that of his allies, as it House of Commons debate
was not simply his work—is a truly on the 200th anniversary of
inspiring story of high ideals pursued
in spite of almost every conceivable
the Slave Trade Act 1807.
adversity, and of enormous feats of
argument that were all too often
preceded by despair as to whether
progress could ever be made. As we
approach the bicentenary of the
passing of the Act to abolish the slave
trade in 1807, it is appropriate that we
What do you think Akala is saying about the causes of the abolition?
(2 marks)

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

What do you think John Oldfield is saying about the people and events that
led to abolition? (2 marks)

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

What does William Hague say about William Wilberforce? (2 marks)

________________________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________________________

"The abolition of the Slave Trade across the

British Empire in 1807 would not have happened
without Toussaint L'Ouverture and the Haitian
Revolution."

How far do you agree and why?

 Using your graph and the information you have learnt so far, In NO
MORE than 4 sentences), write out your answer to the question.
State how far you agree with the statement and explain your answer
(5 marks).

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TOTAL /