Economic
Before and Causes
An economic power force dragged a socially unbalanced amount of slaves to the island of Saint Domingue, ultimately fueling the fire for the Haitian Revolution. The large amount of slaves brought by a growing agricultural economy and a long slavery period due to this prosperity allowed this social disambiguation.
During the colonial period an economic prosperity in Saint Domingue demanded a high amount of slaves, triggering social instability. France held the most prosperous colonial economy of the world, Saint Domingue, which produced over 60% of the words coffee and 40% of the world’s sugar [Saylor]. Both products had become cash crops, as in crops exclusively made for profit as nobody lived on either of the products. The tropical climate enabled the growth of these crops, leading the colony to be in a trade surplus, as they were export driven.
Due to large amount of plantations, the trade of slaves increased drastically and constantly. In fact, there was an estimated 500,000 slaves at the time [Google Books]. The amount of slaves brought from Africa to Haiti was so high, it is estimated that 90% of the population was constituted of slaves [Haitian Revolution, Michigan State]. This social imbalance was a long-term cause of the revolution, as this class, which was repressed, revolted against such harsh life conditions. For decades Haiti had been experiencing an exploitation of its resources, land and the people, which weren't even native to the region. The economic prosperity of the country had been fueling this revolution, by consistently adding to this social inequality.
The economic position of Saint Domingue itself was very prosperous, however the means in which they conquered such economic power led to a social instability further leading to a revolution. Few would believe that the wealth of a colony would be a weighing factor causing a revolt, however it is fundamental to observe the sequence of events. The Haitian Revolution is considered to be one of the most successful revolts in history, as this economical prosperity caused a rebellion from slaves that had been repressed and exploited for decades.
During the colonial period an economic prosperity in Saint Domingue demanded a high amount of slaves, triggering social instability. France held the most prosperous colonial economy of the world, Saint Domingue, which produced over 60% of the words coffee and 40% of the world’s sugar [Saylor]. Both products had become cash crops, as in crops exclusively made for profit as nobody lived on either of the products. The tropical climate enabled the growth of these crops, leading the colony to be in a trade surplus, as they were export driven.
Due to large amount of plantations, the trade of slaves increased drastically and constantly. In fact, there was an estimated 500,000 slaves at the time [Google Books]. The amount of slaves brought from Africa to Haiti was so high, it is estimated that 90% of the population was constituted of slaves [Haitian Revolution, Michigan State]. This social imbalance was a long-term cause of the revolution, as this class, which was repressed, revolted against such harsh life conditions. For decades Haiti had been experiencing an exploitation of its resources, land and the people, which weren't even native to the region. The economic prosperity of the country had been fueling this revolution, by consistently adding to this social inequality.
The economic position of Saint Domingue itself was very prosperous, however the means in which they conquered such economic power led to a social instability further leading to a revolution. Few would believe that the wealth of a colony would be a weighing factor causing a revolt, however it is fundamental to observe the sequence of events. The Haitian Revolution is considered to be one of the most successful revolts in history, as this economical prosperity caused a rebellion from slaves that had been repressed and exploited for decades.