Latin American Independence Movements

August 29, 1793

Brothers and friends.

I am Toussaint L’Ouverture, my name is perhaps known to you. I have undertaken vengeance. I want Liberty and Equality to reign in San Domingo. I work to bring them into existence. Unite yourselves to us, brothers, and fight with us for the same cause, etc. . . .

Which statement describes the author’s purpose for writing this letter?

• To propose peace terms to the French

• To inspire a rebellion

• To document his thoughts for personal reflection

• To gather support for the French

August 29, 1793

Brothers and friends.

I am Toussaint L’Ouverture, my name is perhaps known to you. I have undertaken vengeance. I want Liberty and Equality to reign in San Domingo. I work to bring them into existence. Unite yourselves to us, brothers, and fight with us for the same cause, etc. . . .

Identify one effect of Toussaint L’Ouverture’s letter.

• The establishment of the independent nation of Haiti

• Independence from Spain

• Simon Bolivar was made president of the country

• San Domino became the most profitable French colony

C. L. R. James has stated that the success of the Haitian Revolution was almost entirely the result of the leadership of Toussaint L’Ouverture

. . . The work of Toussaint, Dessalines, Christophe, and Pétion endures in Hayti [Haiti], but what they did went far, far beyond the boundaries of the island. The Haytian revolution has had a profound influence on the history of the nineteenth century. . . . Hayti gave the impulse to and subsidised [supported] the first national revolutions in Spanish America. When the Spanish American colonies saw that such a small and weak community could win and keep its freedom, they took courage to fight for their own emancipation from European imperialism. In dark days, Bolivar the Liberator, ill and in distress, was welcomed by Pétion, nursed to health and given courage to lead the struggling nationalities against Spain. He failed and returned to Hayti. He was once again befriended. Pétion supplied him with arms, munitions, men, money, and printing material, and thus fortified he left Hayti to begin the campaign which ended in the emancipation of the Five States. Pétion asked nothing in return but the freedom of the slaves. . . .

What is one way that the work of Toussaint L’Ouverture and his successors influenced global history according to C. L. R. James?

• Discouraged Spanish colonies from fighting for emancipation

• Convinced European imperialists to acquire more colonies

• Inspired Spanish colonies to fight against European imperialism

• Damaged the reputation Haitian Revolution leaders

Based on a comparison of these maps of South America, which conclusion is accurate?

• Many regions of South America gained their independence between 1790 and 1828.

• All of South America was independent by 1828.

• Spain continued to gain South American colonies in the 19th century.

• Between 1790 and 1828, South American political boundaries remained unchanged except for Brazil

Which individual is most closely associated with the changes indicated on these maps?

• Emiliano Zapata

• Simón Bolívar

• Porfirio Díaz

• Pancho Villa