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Oct 2, 1400
1400s
Between 500,000 and 1 million Taino people live on the island of Atyi -
Oct 30, 1492
1492
Columbus lands on island inhabited by the Tainos and names the island "Hispaniola" -
Oct 30, 1500
1500s
Due to enslavement, Taino population is reduced to 60,000 people by 1517. The population continued to drop the century. -
1644
Sugar cane was introcuded to the island resulting in Saint Domingue becoming one of the richest colonies of all time. -
1697
French gained control of 1 third of Hispaniola and named it Saint Domingue. -
1790
The affranchis demand equal rights and with free whites influenced by the Decleration of the Rights of Man. They send representatives to fight for their cause, but they are denied. -
1791
The french government grant full rights to free blacks in Saint Domingue. White colonists refuse to acknowledge the decree and the blacks revolt. Slaves begin to revolt in attempt to improve thier situation. The government revokes descision to grant rihgts to free blacks, thus they join up with the slaves in their revolt. -
1792
Louis XVI grants free blacks equal rights. Spain and Britain launch military campagins to take over the colony. -
1793
L'Ouverture temporarily joins Spain to defeat French attempts to re-capture the colony and re- establish slavery. -
1794
L'Ouverture joins french forces under the banner of emancipation and equal rights for blacks. -
1795
Spain made an agreement that gave its colony to France and withdrew its troops from the Island -
1797
L'Ouverture and Rigaud pushed out most of the British. -
1799
Napoleon is under increasing pressure from French Merchants to re-capture Saint Domingue and re establish slavery. Also, the War of Knives begin -
1800
L'Ouverture is leader of colony once the War of Knives has ended -
1801
L'Ouverture establishes a constitution. This consistution abolishes slavery, and declared that all citizens had equal rights, and outlawed the practice of Voodoo. However, Napolean refuses to recongize it, for he sees it as a threat. -
1802
French forces invade Saint Domingue and intend to re-establish their rule. L'Ouverture is captured and sent to prison. Napolean reinstates slavery in the Colony -
1803
French forces admit defeat and leave Island -
1804
Jean Jacques Dessalines proclaims Haiti's independence and crowns himself emperor