The Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was a successful uprising by enslaved Africans and free people of color on the French colony of Saint-Domingue, now Haiti. It emerged from brutal slavery, harsh social inequalities, and the influence of Enlightenment ideas about liberty. Leaders like Toussaint Louverture fought to end slavery and gain independence from France. The revolution resulted in Haiti becoming the first black-led republic and the first nation to abolish slavery permanently. It profoundly impacted global discussions on human rights, colonialism, and racial justice.