A Change of Plans
In the early 1800s, France had been at war, making it hard for France to focus on the colonies. But once Napoleon (ruler of France at the time) made peace with Britain in 1802, he could direct attention towards regaining control of St. Domingue. He sent Leclerc to the island to complete this task. Leclerc's instructions were to win over the black leaders, betray them, and send them to France. Then, armies could be disarmed and slavery would be restored.
But it wasn’t easy for Leclerc. Toussaint did not trust the French. He ordered for all whites on the island were to be killed, the towns were to be burnt and the blacks retreated to the countryside and ambush the French. However, when it became clear that Toussaint's plans weren't working as efficiently as he had hoped, he gave up and surrendered. In June of 1802, he captured, sent to France and died in prison.
But it wasn’t easy for Leclerc. Toussaint did not trust the French. He ordered for all whites on the island were to be killed, the towns were to be burnt and the blacks retreated to the countryside and ambush the French. However, when it became clear that Toussaint's plans weren't working as efficiently as he had hoped, he gave up and surrendered. In June of 1802, he captured, sent to France and died in prison.
Fight to Victory
When Napoleon started to reinforce slavery in other French colonies, the noirs and mulattoes figured something must be done.
Napoleon felt that this fight would be easy. The French army was skilled, organized, and had more resources than the Haitians. But through a series of events, mainly the untimely death of Leclerc, the war turned to the islanders’ favor.
After Toussaint’s capture, Dessalines had taken over command of the blacks and Petion led the mulattoes. They then combined forces to expel the French. By the end of 1803 the French were defeated. St. Domingue's independence was declared on January 1, 1804 and renamed Haiti.
Napoleon felt that this fight would be easy. The French army was skilled, organized, and had more resources than the Haitians. But through a series of events, mainly the untimely death of Leclerc, the war turned to the islanders’ favor.
After Toussaint’s capture, Dessalines had taken over command of the blacks and Petion led the mulattoes. They then combined forces to expel the French. By the end of 1803 the French were defeated. St. Domingue's independence was declared on January 1, 1804 and renamed Haiti.