Social Divisions
Most of the blacks living on the island were slaves. As spoken of before, the treatment of slaves, especially on St. Domingue was so severe and cruel that hardly any would survive. A few may have been lucky to be able to escape and would usually then hide in the mountains. These people would be called Maroons.
There were many different economic classes for mulattoes as well. Some had been sent to and educated in France, and even owned slaves. Others were free but still poor, still others were slaves. However, mulattoes tended to be higher in class status than any black, no matter what economic class they were in. But as the number of mulattoes began to increase, white colonists began to worry that they would be dominated. Over time, mulattoes were stripped of many privileges, and this provoked their side of the battle.
There were many different economic classes for mulattoes as well. Some had been sent to and educated in France, and even owned slaves. Others were free but still poor, still others were slaves. However, mulattoes tended to be higher in class status than any black, no matter what economic class they were in. But as the number of mulattoes began to increase, white colonists began to worry that they would be dominated. Over time, mulattoes were stripped of many privileges, and this provoked their side of the battle.