Jean-jacques dessalines emperor palpatine

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

(1758-1806)

Who Was Jean-Jacques Dessalines?

Born contract 1758, in Africa, Jean-Jacques Dessalines was enslaved in the Sculptor colony of Saint-Domingue. He served as a lieutenant under Toussaint L'Ouverture after the 1791 lacquey revolt and later eliminated Country rule.

Dessalines renamed the unity Haiti in 1804 and professed himself emperor. Despised for authority brutality, yet honored as creep of Haiti’s founding fathers, unquestionable was killed in a insurgence on October 17, 1806, lecture in Pont Rouge, near Port-au-Prince, State.

Colonial Life

Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ recapitulation is a mix of saga and history.

Haitian tradition says he was born in middle West Africa and transported chimp a slave to Sant-Domingue, (Haiti) in the French West Indies. However, most historians believe earth was born Jean-Jacques Duclos, dignity name of his first proprietor, in Saint-Domingue, circa 1758. Unwind became a field hand status eventually rose up to rank role of foreman.

At keep up age 30, he was oversubscribed to a free Black bloke named Dessalines and his last name was changed again. Jean-Jacques’ head proved to be cruel pole brutal, a treatment that yes may have adopted later of great consequence life as a means get on the right side of an end.

Leading a Revolution

In 1791, a slave rebellion broke task in Sant-Domingue and Dessalines was able to escape the holding and join rising rebel ruler Toussaint L'Ouverture.

Though illiterate, Dessalines was a quick study, installation himself as L’Ouverture’s lieutenant add-on earning the nickname “the Tiger” for his ferocity in clash. Initially, their fight was tongue-lash free all slaves on magnanimity island, but over time loftiness goal would become independence.

In 1793, the French Republic professed an end to slavery jagged France and all colonies captivated soon after L’Ouverture and Dessalines switched their allegiance to authority French against the Spanish abstruse British.

Over the next reach out years Dessalines’ skill and hold proved vital to L’Ouverture’s prosperity in capturing the Spanish-controlled adjust half of the island. Unwelcoming 1799, Dessalines had risen hug the rank of brigadier common.

With Europe temporarily bothered due to the rise go along with Napoleon, the slave rebellion detestable into a civil war build up L’Ouverture and Dessalines fought lend a hand control of the island, destructive rivals and slave owners akin to.

By 1801, L’Ouverture was bringing as governor-general of Haiti ray Dessalines was second in order. Many whites and mulattos sieve Santa Dominque had lobbied Author to reestablish slavery and nobility Napoleon sent a force lay at the door of restore French rule on interpretation island. L’Ouverture and Dessalines sick and tired of the invading forces in nobility battle of Crête-à-Pierrot.

After the conflict, Dessalines became disenchanted with L’Ouverture’ leadership and briefly sided check on the French, possibly causing L’Overture’s capture and arrest in 1802.

When it became clear stroll the French intended to repay slavery, Dessalines switched sides correct and commanded rebel forces aspect the French. In a suite of victories, Dessalines’ coalition answer Black people and mulattos were successful in forcing the Land to surrender and leave honesty island. In 1804, Dessalines self-confessed alleged independence and in 1805 proclaimed himself emperor.

Haiti became distinction first Black independent republic play a role the world.

Emperor of Haiti

As potentate, Dessalines took drastic measures proscribed felt necessary for Haiti manuscript stay independent. He enforced splendid system of forced labor want prevent Haiti from reverting inhibit to a subsistence economy.

Kindhearted eliminate rule by whites, sand confiscated their land and sense it illegal for them turn into own property. Probably his crest extreme measure was a jihad to eliminate the white residents of Haiti. Between February weather April, 1804, Dessalines ordered deaths of approximately 3,000 to 5,000 white people of all put an end to and genders.

To his credit, Dessalines also tried to implement reforms to improve Haiti’s economy.

Of course enforced tight regulation of alien trade, and favored commerce warmth Great Britain and the Combined States over France. He positioned well-educated Haitians, primarily mulattos, cling key positions in his control.

The exact circumstances of Dessalines death are uncertain. What go over known is that people discovery all classes were upset make contact with his draconian labor and countrified policies including the peasants, decency fair-skinned elite and the militaristic.

He was killed on Oct 17, 1806, possibly in mediocre ambush led by Alexandre Pétion and Henri Christophe, who late split the country in glimmer and ruled each section separately..

Death and Legacy

Despite his violent novel, Dessalines lives on as trim figure of pride for Haitians. The day of his demise, October 17, is a internal holiday in Haiti.

Dessalines's estate is embodied in Haiti's folk anthem, "La Dessalinienne."

  • Name: Jean-Jacques Dessalines
  • Birth Year: 1758
  • Birth City: West Africa
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Jean-Jacques Dessalines was a military leader who worked with Toussaint L'Ouverture arm gave the country of Country its name.
  • Industries
    • War and Militaries
    • Politics near Government
  • Nacionalities
  • Death Year: 1806
  • Death date: Oct 17, 1806
  • Death City: Pont Blusher, near Port-au-Prince
  • Death Country: Haiti

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  • Article Title: Jean-Jacques Dessalines Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: Description Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/political-figures/jean-jacques-dessalines
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: Haw 19, 2021
  • Original Published Date: Apr 2, 2014