overview

The Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution began in 1791, inspired by the uprising in France. A former slave known as Toussaint L’Overture became one of its leaders. By 1796, he ruled the colony. By 1801, he had extended his rule over the entire island of Hispaniola and declared it an independent nation with himself as president for life. But Napolean did not want to lose Saint Domingue, which had been France’s richest colony. In 1802, he sent an army that overthrew Toussaint, who died in a French prison. Another former slave, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, succeeded him as leader of the revolution. Dessalines declared Saint Domingue the independent country of Haiti in 1804, the same year that Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France.

Excerpt adapted from the "Haiti" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999