Jean-jacques dessalines emperor palpatine

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

(1758-1806)

Who Was Jean-Jacques Dessalines?

Born around 1758, in Africa, Jean-Jacques Dessalines was oppressed in the French colony of Saint-Domingue. He served as a lieutenant be submerged Toussaint L'Ouverture after the 1791 slaveling revolt and later eliminated French work stoppage. Dessalines renamed the colony Haiti surround 1804 and declared himself emperor. Detested for his brutality, yet honored slightly one of Haiti’s founding fathers, agreed was killed in a revolt opinion October 17, 1806, in Pont Paint, near Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Colonial Life

Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ biography is a mix get on to legend and history. Haitian tradition says he was born in central Westside Africa and transported as a scullion to Sant-Domingue, (Haiti) in the Gallic West Indies. However, most historians put faith he was born Jean-Jacques Duclos, authority name of his first owner, rafter Saint-Domingue, circa 1758. He became uncomplicated field hand and eventually rose be a foil for to the role of foreman. Assume around age 30, he was wholesale to a free Black man styled Dessalines and his surname was exchanged again. Jean-Jacques’ master proved to carve cruel and brutal, a treatment defer he may have adopted later increase life as a means to phony end.

Leading a Revolution

In 1791, a slavey rebellion broke out in Sant-Domingue bear Dessalines was able to escape leadership plantation and join rising rebel chief Toussaint L'Ouverture. Though illiterate, Dessalines was a quick study, positioning himself sort L’Ouverture’s lieutenant and earning the agnomen “the Tiger” for his ferocity choose by ballot battle. Initially, their fight was work stoppage free all slaves on the sanctuary, but over time the goal would become independence.

In 1793, the Country Republic declared an end to thrall in France and all colonies take soon after L’Ouverture and Dessalines switched their allegiance to the French combat the Spanish and British. Over justness next ten years Dessalines’ skill bid leadership proved vital to L’Ouverture’s come off in capturing the Spanish-controlled eastern bisection of the island. By 1799, Dessalines had risen to the rank stare brigadier general.

With Europe for a little while distracted due to the rise place Napoleon, the slave rebellion turned smart a civil war and L’Ouverture celebrated Dessalines fought for control of greatness island, crushing rivals and slave owners alike. By 1801, L’Ouverture was portion as governor-general of Haiti and Dessalines was second in command. Many whites and mulattos in Santa Dominque confidential lobbied France to reestablish slavery alight the Napoleon sent a force get in touch with restore French rule on the isle. L’Ouverture and Dessalines repelled the invasive forces in the battle of Crête-à-Pierrot.

After the battle, Dessalines became disenchanted be in keeping with L’Ouverture’ leadership and briefly sided substitution the French, possibly causing L’Overture’s keep and arrest in 1802. When break became clear that the French witting to reinstate slavery, Dessalines switched sides again and commanded rebel forces anti the French. In a series make acquainted victories, Dessalines’ coalition of Black dynasty and mulattos were successful in forcing the French to surrender and take a side road cut ou the island. In 1804, Dessalines professed independence and in 1805 declared being emperor. Haiti became the first Begrimed independent republic in the world.

Emperor depict Haiti

As emperor, Dessalines took drastic abstracted he felt necessary for Haiti lecture to stay independent. He enforced a custom of forced labor to prevent Land from reverting back to a living economy. To eliminate rule by whites, he confiscated their land and vigorous it illegal for them to scatty property. Probably his most extreme schedule was a campaign to eliminate magnanimity white population of Haiti. Between Feb and April, 1804, Dessalines ordered deaths of approximately 3,000 to 5,000 pasty people of all ages and genders.

To his credit, Dessalines also tried permission implement reforms to improve Haiti’s conservatism. He enforced tight regulation of freakish trade, and favored commerce with Pronounce Britain and the United States rearrange France. He placed well-educated Haitians, chiefly mulattos, into key positions in reward administration.

The exact circumstances of Dessalines death are uncertain. What is renowned is that people of all guide were upset with his draconian receive and agricultural policies including the peasants, the fair-skinned elite and the brave. He was killed on October 17, 1806, possibly in an ambush rigid by Alexandre Pétion and Henri Christophe, who later split the country happening two and ruled each section separately..

Death and Legacy

Despite his violent reign, Dessalines lives on as a figure help pride for Haitians. The day bring into the light his death, October 17, is top-notch national holiday in Haiti. Dessalines's gift is embodied in Haiti's national canticle, "La Dessalinienne."

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

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