5 Reasons Why You Should Care About Haiti’s Independence Day (January 1st)
Photo by @istwa_photography
On January 1st, 1804 an event took place that shattered our world’s understanding of liberty and freedom. This event holds world-historical importance and will continue to for centuries to come.
January 1st is the day Haiti proclaimed herself to be a free, independent nation. She became the first free black republic in the world. Her great battle for freedom, the Haitian Revolution, is the only successful slave revolt in the history of humanity that led to the creation of a nation. They didn’t tell you that story in AP World History, did they?
Haiti boldly entered into human history by doing the unthinkable. Haiti beat three world powers (France, Britain, and Spain) and took her freedom by force. Although Haitian history is marked by intentional disregard and long stretches of the silent treatment, hers is a history that merits world celebration.
Here are the top 5 reasons why you should care about Haiti’s Independence Day.
#1 - Haiti expanded the limits of freedom and you reap the benefits.
You and I have an understanding of freedom that is largely shaped by the valiant efforts of the Haitian people. Haitians were the first to expand the limits of freedom to lawfully include people of color. The American Declaration of Independence (1776) and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (1789) set America and France apart as thought leaders in the understanding of basic human rights. Americans proclaimed that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,” and France declared “men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” Neither of these iconic pieces of literature drew the natural conclusion that slavery and racial discrimination are gross violations of basic human rights.
Even as the Haitian Revolution happened, the world couldn’t believe it. They refused to believe that former slaves understood the depths of freedom more than they did. These former slaves comprehended biblical principles and basic human rights more profoundly than leaders of the free world and they would use their understanding to shatter deeply rooted systems of oppression.
Haiti challenged conventional understanding of equality, liberty, and freedom, and we are better because of it.
#2 - The Haitian Revolution was the beginning of the end of the transatlantic slave trade.
Haiti claimed her independence in 1804. Three years later, in 1807, the transatlantic slave trade was abolished in Britain (the principal slave-trading nation). Coincidence? Certainly not! Haiti’s successful revolt against French colonial power was the impetus for monumental policy change. Thomas Clarkson, a leading English abolitionist, was instrumental in ending the slave trade. He vehemently argued against slavery and used Haiti’s freedom to further press for the abolition of slavery. He was successful. Immediately after Britain made the transatlantic slave trade illegal, the US followed suit and passed legislation, banning the slave trade. Other nations soon followed Britain’s lead.
The UN commemorated Haiti’s instrumental role in ending the slave trade by adopting August 23rd as the official International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition. Why that date? On the night that spanned August 22nd to the 23rd, the Haitian Revolution began.
Truly, Haiti’s abolitionist heritage belongs to all of humanity.
#3 - Haiti is the reason for the Louisiana Purchase.
Just imagine for a second how different the US would be if the nation’s western most territory ended at the Mississippi River. American economy, society, and politics would be completely different, right? Well, thanks to the Haitian Revolution, in 1803 France sold the Louisiana territory for less than 3 cents an acre (dirt cheap). Why? France poured an enormous amount of resources into fighting against the former slaves in Saint-Domingue (Haiti) and still they were losing. The war began to make France broke. As the French empire began to fall, Napoleon became increasingly desperate for money.
At first, Napoleon refused to sell. He had the goal of building a massive empire that included the Americas and he knew the Louisiana Purchase would be key in expanding the French empire in the Western Hemisphere. When Napoleon began to lose the battle against Haiti, he quickly abandoned this dream. Why? Saint-Domingue (Haiti) was the richest and most prosperous colony in the world. By 1791, Saint-Domingue was nicknamed the “Pearl of the Antilles” because it produced 60% of all of the coffee and 40% of all of the sugar consumed in Europe. Haiti brought France incredible wealth and so France refused to give her up.
The US nearly doubled its size because of Haiti. The Louisiana Purchase, one of history’s greatest bargains, was driven by the Haitian Revolution.
#4 - Haiti inspired countless other fights for freedom around the globe.
*Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Haiti’s national flag
The Haitian Revolution sent shivers throughout Europe and America. At the time of Haiti’s independence, slavery was an incredibly profitable institution for many countries and so Haitian liberation became a real threat. Haiti quickly became a tremulous fear for world powers but also a tremendous symbol of hope for enslaved people.
When Haiti became free, she vowed to be an ally for enslaved persons around the globe. Haiti was the first country that provided a safe haven for all former slaves and for current slaves who needed protection. Countless other revolts throughout the Caribbean and the Americas were inspired by the Haitian Revolution. Haiti financially and morally supported revolutionaries such as Simón Bolívar (the leader who led Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama to independence from Spain). Interestingly enough, Venezuela’s flag was created and first flown in Jacmel, Haiti in 1806. Haiti’s significant influence on Latin America could also be seen through the striking resemblance that several Latin American flags (Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador) have to the Haitian flag. Haiti stood as a tangible embodiment of freedom for enslaved people.
Latin America owes much to Haiti.
#5 - Haiti models what pure strength and perseverance truly look like.
Even after gaining their freedom, Haiti was hard-pressed on every side. Haiti was forced to pay France 90 million francs ($21 billion USD) to be recognized as a legitimate country. Haiti was forced to pay these reparations (with interest) as a compensation to plantation owners who lost their property (slaves) during the revolution. Haiti didn’t finish paying off this steep debt until 1947. Yes, you read right, 1947. Along with this debt, Haiti was suffocated by nations like America who refused to recognize her independence and trade with this newly formed nation. America didn’t recognize Haiti as a nation until 1862, almost 60 years after her independence. The lack of diplomatic and trade relations with other nations significantly stifled Haiti’s growth from her inception. Through this all, Haiti persevered. Through this all, Haiti still stands strong today as a symbol of freedom and liberty.
As we ring in the new year let’s, together, celebrate the freedom and liberty that was won through Haiti’s Independence.