Saint-Domingue

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Saint-Domingue was a French colony on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola from 1659 to 1804. It is now known as Haiti. The colony was one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, primarily due to its production of sugar, coffee, and other valuable commodities.

History

Saint-Domingue was established by the French in 1659 on the western part of Hispaniola, an island that it shared with the Spanish colony of Santo Domingo. The colony quickly became a major center for the production of sugar and coffee, which were in high demand in Europe. The labor-intensive nature of these crops led to the importation of a large number of African slaves.

Colonial Economy

The economy of Saint-Domingue was heavily reliant on slave labor. The plantation system was the backbone of the colony's economy, with large estates producing sugar, coffee, indigo, and cotton. By the late 18th century, Saint-Domingue was producing about 40% of the world's sugar and 60% of its coffee.

Social Structure

The social structure of Saint-Domingue was highly stratified. At the top were the white colonists, known as the grands blancs (big whites), who were the wealthy plantation owners. Below them were the petits blancs (little whites), who were often artisans, shopkeepers, and overseers. The gens de couleur (people of color) were free people of mixed race who often owned property and slaves themselves. At the bottom of the social hierarchy were the enslaved Africans, who made up the majority of the population.

Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution began in 1791 and was a complex conflict involving various groups, including enslaved Africans, free people of color, and white colonists. The revolution was influenced by the French Revolution and its ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The conflict led to the abolition of slavery in the colony in 1793 and ultimately to the independence of Haiti in 1804.

Legacy

The legacy of Saint-Domingue is significant in both Haitian and world history. The Haitian Revolution was the first successful slave revolt in history and led to the establishment of Haiti as the first independent black republic. The economic and social structures established during the colonial period had long-lasting effects on Haitian society.

Related Pages

• Haiti
• Hispaniola
• French Revolution
• Slavery
• Plantation economy
• Haitian Revolution