In the context of Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH), this pivotal event refers to the overthrow of French colonial rule in Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) by enslaved Africans and people of color. This successful slave revolt, lasting from 1791 to 1804, resulted in the establishment of Haiti as the first free black republic in the world. The term encapsulates the complex interplay of social, political, and economic factors that fueled the uprising against oppressive conditions and the desire for self-determination.
The significance of this historical episode extends beyond the boundaries of the island. It served as a powerful symbol of resistance against slavery and colonialism, inspiring abolitionist movements and slave rebellions across the Americas. Simultaneously, it instilled fear in slaveholding nations, contributing to anxieties about the potential for similar uprisings. The consequences of the revolution reverberated through the international arena, influencing trade relations, political alliances, and perceptions of race and freedom.
