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The Haitian Revolution - Documentary (2009)
55:23
TheBlackestPanther

The Haitian Revolution - Documentary (2009)

PBS Documentary Titled - Egalite for All: Toussaint Louverture & The Haitian Revolution The Haitian Revolution (French: Révolution haïtienne [ʁevɔlysjɔ̃ ajisjɛ̃n]), was a successful anti-slavery and anti-colonial insurrection that took place in the former French colony of Saint-Domingue that lasted from 1791 until 1804. It affected the institution of slavery throughout the Americas. Self-liberated slaves destroyed slavery at home, fought to preserve their freedom, and with the collaboration of mulattoes, founded the sovereign state of Haiti. It led to the greatest slave uprising since Spartacus's unsuccessful revolt against the Roman Republic nearly 1,900 years prior. The Haitian Revolution was the only slave uprising that led to the founding of a state free from slavery and ruled by non-whites and former captives. With the increasing number of Haitian Revolutionary Studies in the last few decades, it has become clear that the event was a defining moment in the racial histories of the Atlantic World. The legacy of the Revolution was that it challenged long-held beliefs about black inferiority and of the enslaved person's capacity to achieve and maintain freedom. The rebels' organizational capacity and tenacity under pressure became the source of stories that shocked and frightened slave owners. François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture (French: [fʁɑ̃swa dɔminik tusɛ̃ luvɛʁtyʁ] 20 May 1743 – 7 April 1803), also known as Toussaint L'Ouverture or Toussaint Bréda, was the best-known leader of the Haitian Revolution. His military and political acumen saved the gains of the first Black insurrection in November 1791. He first fought for the Spanish against the French; then for France against Spain and Britain; and finally, for Saint-Domingue (modern Haiti)'s colonial sovereignty against Napoleonic France. He then helped transform the insurgency into a revolutionary movement, which by 1800 had turned Saint-Domingue, the most prosperous slave colony of the time, into the first free colonial society to have explicitly rejected race as the basis of social ranking. Though Toussaint did not sever ties with France, his actions in 1800 constituted a de facto autonomous colony. The colony's constitution proclaimed him governor for life even against Napoleon Bonaparte's wishes. He died betrayed before the final and most violent stage of the armed conflict. However, his achievements set the grounds for the Black army's absolute victory and for Jean-Jacques Dessalines to declare the sovereign state of Haiti in January 1804. Toussaint's prominent role in the Haitian success over colonialism and slavery had earned him the admiration of friends and detractors alike. Toussaint Louverture began his military career as a leader of the 1791 slave rebellion in the French colony of Saint-Domingue; he was by then a free black man and a Jacobin. Initially allied with the Spaniards of neighboring Santo Domingo (modern Dominican Republic), Toussaint switched allegiance to the French when they abolished slavery. He gradually established control over the whole island and used political and military tactics to gain dominance over his rivals. Throughout his years in power, he worked to improve the economy and security of Saint-Domingue. He restored the plantation system using paid labour, negotiated trade treaties with Britain and the United States, and maintained a large and well-disciplined army. In 1801, he promulgated an autonomist constitution for the colony, with himself as Governor-General for Life. In 1802 he was forced to resign by forces sent by Napoleon Bonaparte to restore French authority in the former colony. He was deported to France, where he died in 1803. The Haitian Revolution continued under his lieutenant, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who declared independence on January 1, 1804. The French had lost two-thirds of forces sent to the island in an attempt to suppress the revolution; most died of yellow fever.
President Jovenel Moise: What is next for Haiti? | Talk to Al Jazeera
24:21
Al Jazeera English

President Jovenel Moise: What is next for Haiti? | Talk to Al Jazeera

Haiti was the first black republic in the 19th century, created by a revolution that overthrew slavery maintained by French colonial rule. But independence came at a cost, and Haiti had to pay billions in compensation which left the country bankrupt since its creation. Added to the nation's bankruptcy, high levels of inequality and poverty have persisted over the years, and political attempts to fight corruption have not ended well. Jean Bertrand Aristide, the country's first democratically-elected president in 1994, was removed from office twice when he confronted the country's elite. In 2010, a powerful 7.0 earthquake left the country destroyed and killed between 200,000 and 300,000 people. The earthquake left over 1.5 million people displaced and the international community saw the disaster as an opportunity to rethink foreign aid. But little has changed in Haiti, a decade after the devastating earthquake. Haiti's President Jovenel Moise talks to Al Jazeera about reconstruction efforts and what is next for the country. "We must not confuse the post-earthquake crisis with the socio-economic crisis that we are currently going through in Haiti. The socio-economic crisis is a permanent crisis.The state we have today is a predatory state that is governed by a few corrupt oligarchs who seek to control the key areas of development," Moise explains. Over $13bn were pledged to help Haiti recover from the earthquake. But only half of that money was released, according to the UN, and Haitians only received half of the money they were promised by donors led by the United States. Much of the funds were spent on short-term programmes to assist people with food, water and healthcare. "This money should have been spent on building villages around Port-au-Prince, villages which would provide homes for I would say, tens of thousands of families. In terms of results, no reconstruction has actually taken place and I am someone who believes in lasting structural development," says Moise. Last year thousands took to the streets to protest against corruption, demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise. "Today it is as if I am being crucified, people are shouting: 'Crucify him! Crucify him! Crucify him!'," Moise says arguing that he has been fighting against corruption despite the accusations from protesters. Moise was mentioned in a corruption scandal involving the PetroCaribe fund, a strategic oil alliance signed with Venezuela where Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, bought subsidised oil from Venezuela. The Haitian government was supposed to use the extra money for social programmes and to advance the economy. But billions from the fund were embezzled by those in charge and President Moise was mentioned in a 600-page investigation. "I was placed on a cross and I descended from it to talk to the people to tell them that is was not my aim to work against them and now the people are beginning to understand," he says. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/
Violence on the eve of Haiti's bicentennial celebrations
01:17
AP Archive

Violence on the eve of Haiti's bicentennial celebrations

(1 Jan 2004) VOICED BY RICHARD VAUGHAN December 31, 2003 - Port-au-Prince, Haiti 0000 Workers put finishing touches on stands 0003 Empty stands in front of the National Palace 0007 Banner hanging near National Palace which says "1804-2004 - Haiti is the Mother of Liberty 0009 Man walks near National Palace hiding his face with a Haitian flag 0014 Two burned corpses in front of a garage December 30, 2003 - Port-au-Prince, Haiti 0017Anti-government protest with banner with the colors of Haiti's national flag and singing "Teargas or no teargas, Aristide must go no matter what!" 0025 Protestors running away from teargas thrown by anti-riot police December 21, 2003 - National Palace yard, Port-au-Prince, Haiti 0033 Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, right in the striped shirt, and his wife Mildred, in the yellow shirt, handing out gifts to poor children, Aristide bends down to talk to a little boy December 31, 2003 - Port-au-Prince, Haiti 0044 Journalists talk to Charles Baker, factory owner, Vice President of the Association of Haitian Industries, and one of the coordinators of the Group of 184 Organizations, a platform of business, civic, union and other groups 0050 SOUNDBITE: (English) Charles Baker, Vice President of the Association of Haitian Industries "They're always willing to do the right thing with words but in actual facts they gas us, they shoot us and they intimidate us and they terrorize us. Not only us, but the Haitian people." December 21, 2003 - National Palace yard, Port-au-Prince, Haiti 0 Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, right in the striped shirt, and his wife Mildred, in the yellow shirt, handing out gifts to poor children, Aristide bends down to talk to a little boy 0104 Wide shot of children standing in line for presents 0108 Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide picks up a boy 0117 ENDS SUGGESTED LEAD-IN: Haiti this week marks 200 years of independence from France. But the event has been marred with violence. Islanders are questioning whether President Jean-Bertrand Aristide could guide Haiti out of its latest crisis of poverty, political turmoil and social unrest. VOICE-OVER: 0002 Haiti getting ready to celebrate. It's 200 years since this small Caribbean nation gained its independence from France. 0010 But many here feel there's little to get excited about. 0014 These charred bodies were found sprawled on the side of a road a few days ago. The deaths, and 39 others, have been linked to the almost daily protests which often descend into violent clashes. Anti-government protestors like these are countered by supporters of the still popular President Aristide. 0033 The former slum priest has been in and out of power since 1990. His opponents accuse him of repression and of rigging the year 2000 elections. American born factory owner Charles Baker has spent time in prison for his pro-democracy activities. 0050 SOUNDBITE: (English) Charles Baker, Vice President of the Association of Haitian Industries (answering question: "What exactly is the government saying to you when you approach them with proposals to reconcile your different positions?") "They're always willing to do the right thing with words but in actual facts they gas us, they shoot us and they intimidate us and they terrorize us. Not only us, but the Haitian people." 0104 The two political sides have reached an impasse. The opposition refuses to participate in new elections unless Aristide steps down, which he says he won't do. 0117 ENDS Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/aca048478157b15b7d1f60fe30905572
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