Violence In The Haitian Revolution

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With the outcome of positive social change, the Haitian Revolution’s use of violence does not take away from the amazing results, results that only existed because of the successful use of violence. One of the feats that came as a result of the Haitian Revolution, as stated by Michael J. Schroeder, was “…occurred on April 29, 1793, when Leger-Filicide Sonthonax…exceeded his authority by abolishing slavery throughout the island” (Schroeder). Although this action was later repealed by none other than Napoleon himself and then later reinstated, the initial abolishment of slavery signified successes and progress in the form of freedom for those who had been previously systemically oppressed. The fact that slavery was abolished twice throughout …show more content…
This shows that the violence of the Haitian Revolution was anything but mindless bloodshed. Another significant outcome of the Haitian Revolution is presented by Peter Hanns Reill and Ellen Judy Wilson, “The Haitian revolution… resulted in the first republic to be established by former slaves of African descent,” (Reill, Wilson). The resulting republic was a significant first that showed that those who had been previously oppressed could make a difference, that they could change their society, and change society is exactly what those fighting for a better society during the Haitian Revolution did, as evident in the results. The fact that the Haitian Revolution resulted in a nation established by people who were previously living under the oppression of slavery signals a change in the social dynamic with even those at the bottom of the social hierarchy able to achieve aspects of the society they desire. In addition, Franklin W. Knight states in his article on the Haitian Revolution, that Haiti, “established a new political state of entirely free individuals—with some ex-slaves constituting the new political authority” (Knight