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1492
Christopher Columbus Arrives in Haiti
In 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived in Haiti. This event began the sad history of Haiti and the Slave Trade. -
1498
Indigenous People
Six years after Christopher Columbus's arrival, the indigenous population had reduced from 600,000 to 500. This happened because of the harsh treatment from Europeans and the introduction of European diseases. -
1503
African Slaves
Due to the major loss in population of indigenous people due to the arrival of Europeans, the first African slaves were brought to work in Haiti in 1503. Sugar was the most important crop in Haiti. By the end of the 1700s, there were over 800 plantations in Haiti. Over 450,000 enslaved Africans worked on these plantations. -
French Control Haiti
The French settle Tortuga Island and northwestern Hispaniola. -
Code Noir
Louis XIV wrote Code Noir in order to establish rules for slavery in French colonies. These are some examples of the rules included:
- No Jews may live in French colonies
- Slaves must be Roman- Catholic
- Slaves may not own/carry weapons
- Slaves may not gather
- Fugitive slaves absent for a month should have their ears cut off and be branded
- Slave masters 20 years of age (25 years without parental permission) may free their slaves -
Treaty of Ryswick
In this treaty, the Spanish cede the western third of Hispaniola to France. -
Slave Rebellions
Slave Rebellions begin led by Francois Mackandal. Mackandal was an African born slave who lived in Haiti. He would create poison from island plants and distribute it to slaves. They would add it to meals or refreshments of their masters. He led Maroons to raid plantations at night, torch property, and kill the owners. -
Capture of Francois Mackandal
The French became fearful that rebellions led by Mackandal would drive all of the white people from the island. They captured and tortured one of his allies in order to gain information about how to capture Mackandal. When the French found him, they publically burned him at the stake. -
American Revolutionary War
Volunteer slaves in Haiti, led by French Admiral Count d'Estaing, went to Savannah, Georgia to help fight against the British in the American Revolutionary War. Over 500 people came from Haiti to help, including, white soldiers,soldiers of color, and black slaves. -
The Conseil des Représentants de la Commune
The Conseil des Représentants de la Commune was a group created by freed slaves in order to demand equal rights. -
Vodou Ceremony
Dutty Boukman (Vodou priest) and Cécile Fatiman (Vodou priestess) held a Vodou Ceremony. During this ceremony, hundreds of slaves vowed to die for liberty. -
Haitian Revolution
The beginning of the Haitian Revolution occurred August 21, 1791, and continued until the slaves' victory on January 1, 1804. -
Concordat de Damiens
The Concordat de Damiens was signed which allowed Affranchis to have political rights. -
French Legislative Assembly
The French Legislative Assembly voted to grant full citizenship and equal right to all free people of color. -
The French National Convention
The French National Convention proclaimed the abolition of slavery in all French colonies. This meant that abolition of slavery was now legal and it applied to all of France's colonies. -
Haitian Revolution (End)
The Haitian Revolution ended in 1804, when Dessalines declares Haiti an independent nation and becomes Governor-General.
