Haitian Revolution - short quiz

Where is Haiti?

Answer explanation

On the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean

Which European nation originally invaded and colonised the island?

Answer explanation

Spain

What happened to the original native people of the island?

Answer explanation

They almost all died in slavery, of overwork in mines and plantations and of European diseases.

Which was the next European nation to control Haiti, the ones in power when the revolution occured?

Answer explanation

The French, the colony was known as Saint-Domingue. This became Haiti.

Describe as many of the groups of people in the French colony as you can.

Answer explanation

1. 1. The white, landowning class, the plantation owners.

2. 2. The white, lower classes, sailors, tradespeople etc.

3. 3. The mixed white & African people, known as mulattoes, sometimes, also slave owners.

4. 4. The African-born, or African origin slaves.

5. 5. The 'Maroons', escaped slaves

What was the colonial economy of the island based on?

Answer explanation

Sugar and other agricultural products. Slave labour. Import of slaves, export of goods.

Describe the social problems of the island.

Answer explanation

The power and wealth was mostly concentrated in the hands of the ruling whites.

They looked down on lower class whites as inferior. The lower class whites aspired to greater wealth and representation within society. The same was true of the mixed race people who looked down on the slaves, but were despised by both the slaves and the whites. The black slaves suffered terribly and wanted freedom.

What European event inspired the Haitian revolution?

Answer explanation

The French Revolution 1789-1799

Who was the former slave who was responsible for the early success of the revolution?

• Charles Leclerc

• Jean-Jacques Dessalines

• Toussaint Louverture

• Napoleon Bonaparte

What eventually happened to the initial leader of the Haitian Revolution?

• He died in a French prison, in France.

• He died peacefully in the United States.

• He became Emperor of the Caribbean.

• He became a rich sugar plantation owner.