The Rise of the United States The USA emerged as a dominant power in the Western Hemisphere after gaining independence from colonial rule. Meanwhile, another country in the West struggled with extreme poverty and economic challenges due to its history of slavery.
Haiti's Unique History Haiti's revolution and emergence as one of the most unusual island nations on Earth are discussed. The control by Spain over Hispaniola, followed by French colonization, led to significant economic exploitation through coffee and sugar plantations.
Slavery and Plantation Economy The economy thrived on slave labor with nearly half a million slaves brought from West Africa. Haiti became a major supplier of coffee and sugar globally but suffered from severe ecological problems caused by plantation agriculture.
'Mulattos' in Haitian Society 'Mulattos,' comprising both white descendants (30 thousand) and freed black slaves who held specific rights but were viewed negatively within society for their mixed heritage.
Political Ideologies & Social Struggles 'Free people' had diverse political views; some sought expanded civil rights while others opposed abolition because they profited from trade or owned plantations. Former slaves also resisted against mulatto dominance.
Challenges Faced by Free Population Even though considered 'free,' many individuals faced discrimination based on race or social status within Haitian society during this period.
The Rise of Gaiti In the early history of South America, a significant portion of the population was free from colonial rule and democratic procedures. Mulattos played a key role in governing the state, led by Dessalines who aimed to bridge cultural and economic gaps between blacks and mulattos.
Challenges Faced by Gaiti Gaiti faced opposition from European powers due to its victory over several civilized nations. The country's struggle for recognition as an independent state was met with resistance from neighboring slave-owning countries like the USA.
Economic Objectives Dessalines' main objectives included ensuring defense against external threats through building a strong army, promoting private ownership of land among freed slaves, and establishing self-sufficient agriculture as part of their freedom.
Cultural Identity Many Haitians sought to preserve African cultural heritage while some mulattos propagated propaganda discrediting African customs. Creole language became dominant despite oppression.
Social Challenges The post-revolution era saw limited voting rights, lack of access to education for many black citizens, interpretation conflicts about revolution history depicting struggles between mulattoes and whites.