The Haitian Revolution (1789-1804)
The Haitian Slave Revolution (also know as the Haitian Revolution) was an event of seismic proportion around the world. From its beginning in 1789 to its official conclusion, 1804, with the foundation of the nation of Haiti, all eyes were set in this Caribbean island where slaves and former slaves took arms against their white overlords to claim their freedom and eventually created the first Black nation in the Americas.
Searching Tip:
When searching any of the databases listed in this page, try these keywords to make sure you can find books and articles about Haiti.
- Haiti or Hayti
- "Saint Domingo" or St. Domingo (that is the previous name of Haiti)
Caption: Toussaint Louverture Chef des Noirs Insurgés de Saint Domingue. Description: Portrait of Toussaint Louverture on horseback with sword. In the background are fortifications and a ship. Part of the Brown University archival collections.
- Atlantic Freedoms: Haiti, not the US or France, was where the assertion of human rights reached its defining climax in the Age of Revolution (Laurent Dubois)This essay, written by Laurent Dubois, professor of Romance Studies at Duke University, this the history of the Haitian revolution and their impact in the Western Hemisphere
- Inside the Kingdom of Hayti, 'the Wakanda of the Western Hemisphere'This essay was written by Prof. Marlene Daut from the University of Virginia. A great introduction to the early history of Haiti, a real "Wakanda" in the Americas.
Books on the Haitian Revolution
- Books on the Haitian Slave Revolution at the UCSB LibraryClick the link to see a sampling of the books on the subject of the Haitian slave revolution at the UCSB Library. Many of the historical books (which are also considered primary sources!) in this list are available online!
- Books about Toussaint Louverture at UCSB LibrarySelection of books about Toussaint Louverture, François-Dominique Toussaint one of the best-known leader of the Haitian Revolution.
Archival Collections (English)
- History of the Haitian Independence Struggle 1791-1804This site offers links to translated documents related to the Haitian revolution and its main players.
- Memoir of General Toussaint L’Ouverture. Written by HimselfTranslated by J. R. Beard in 1863
- The Impact of the Haitian RevolutionList of books (with links to the online facsimiles) of books written after the Haitian revolution that document how it was perceived around the world
- NYPL Digital Collection: HaitiDigital images that depict the leaders of the Haitian Revolution and the royalty from the King of Hayti.
Archival Collections (French)
- La Gazette Royale d'HaytiIn this site you can explore sample of the early print culture in the Haiti (in French)
- The Other Revolution: Haiti 1789-1804On online exhibit with links to rare books (mostly in French but some in English and Spanish) and images by and from the John Carter Brown Library (Brown University)