The Haitian Revolution

     I was reading chapter seventeen from our history textbook by Strayer and it was interesting to read why there was a Revolution in Haiti. To be honest I do not know much of how Haiti came about. According to the textbook Haiti was divided into three groups. The first group the “grands blanc- were rich white landowners- who suggested autonomy for the colony and fewer economic restrictions on trade. The grand blanc’s didn’t care for the demands of the second group the “petits blanc- were another group of white people who sought equality of citizenship for all whites. (pg508)” Both groups opposed equal treatment to people of color. The third group is the slaves and to them the promise of ending slavery “was a freedom that threatened the entire slave labor system. (pg509)” Of course it only makes sense that these three groups since they had very different reasons for a Revolution starting fighting amongst themselves. Eventually the slaves became the powerful group and what I had not known is that this was the only successful slave revolt in history. With the slaves free, Haiti was given it name which I did not know “means “mountainous” or “rugged” in the language of the original Taino people. (pg509)” This was really interesting as I mentioned there were many things that I did not know about Haiti and it contributions to the abolition of slavery. It is great that the land was given back to the people of Haiti but even today there is a lot of violence, death and famine due to the Revolution that took place.