AP World: Modern Name: Crash Course World History \#30 - The Haitian Revolutions Guided Questions: Directions. During or after watching the Crash Course video, answer the following questions in your own words. At the bottom of the page, be sure to highlight FIVE key words/topics that you feel were most important. 1. How did the French colony in Sant-Domingue begin, and what was its significance as a pirate outpost? 2. What was the disparity between the number of slaves imported to Saint-Domingue and the white population of the island? In this box, choose 5 key words you felt were most important to the topic and explain why they are important. 1. What idea did the Haitians stand up for during their struggle for independence? 3. Describe the social divisions within colonial society in Sant-Domingue. 4. What sparked the unrest in what eventually became Haiti? 5.

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**1. How did the French colony in Saint-Domingue begin, and what was its significance as a pirate outpost?**

The French colony in Saint-Domingue was established in the early 17th century by French settlers seeking to exploit the island's fertile land for agriculture, particularly sugar and coffee plantations. Its strategic location in the Caribbean made it an ideal pirate outpost. Pirates and privateers used Saint-Domingue as a base to launch attacks on Spanish treasure ships and other vessels, which not only boosted the local economy through trade and plunder but also necessitated the development of strong defenses and naval capabilities within the colony.

**2. What was the disparity between the number of slaves imported to Saint-Domingue and the white population of the island?**

In Saint-Domingue, there was a significant imbalance between the enslaved African population and the white settlers. The colony imported hundreds of thousands of slaves to work on its plantations, creating a vast majority of enslaved individuals compared to the relatively small white population. This disparity reinforced the harsh social hierarchy and economic dependence on slave labor, leading to extreme inequalities and tensions that ultimately fueled the Haitian Revolution.

**3. Describe the social divisions within colonial society in Saint-Domingue.**

Colonial society in Saint-Domingue was highly stratified and divided along racial and economic lines. At the top were the grands blancs, wealthy white plantation owners who controlled the economy and held political power. Below them were the petits blancs, poorer whites who worked as artisans, shopkeepers, and laborers. The free people of color (gens de couleur) occupied a middle position; many were mixed-race individuals who owned property or even slaves themselves but still faced significant discrimination. At the bottom were the enslaved Africans, who endured brutal working conditions and had no rights, creating a deeply unequal and volatile social structure.

**4. What sparked the unrest in what eventually became Haiti?**

The unrest in Saint-Domingue was sparked by a combination of factors, including the brutal conditions of slavery, the influence of the French Revolution’s ideals of liberty and equality, and the rising tensions between different social groups. Specific events, such as violent uprisings by enslaved people and conflicts between free people of color and white colonists, exacerbated tensions. These factors culminated in widespread rebellion, leading to the Haitian Revolution and the eventual fight for independence from French rule.

**5. What idea did the Haitians stand up for during their struggle for independence?**

During their struggle for independence, Haitians stood up for the ideas of freedom, equality, and the abolition of slavery. They sought to overthrow the oppressive colonial system that maintained vast inequalities and denied basic human rights to enslaved Africans and free people of color. By fighting for these principles, Haitians aimed to create a society where all individuals, regardless of race or status, could live freely and equally.

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**Five Key Words/Topics:**

1. **Sugar Plantations**  
   *Importance:* Sugar plantations were the economic backbone of Saint-Domingue, driving its wealth and reliance on slave labor. The demand for sugar not only fueled the colony's prosperity but also entrenched the brutal system of slavery that led to social unrest and revolution.

2. **Free People of Color (Gens de Couleur)**  
   *Importance:* This group played a crucial role in the colony's social dynamics and the Haitian Revolution. As free, often educated individuals of mixed race, they challenged the racial hierarchy and advocated for equal rights, contributing significantly to the push for independence.

3. **French Revolution Ideals**  
   *Importance:* The principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity from the French Revolution inspired various groups in Saint-Domingue to seek social and political change. These ideals provided the philosophical foundation for the Haitian Revolution and the fight against colonial oppression.

4. **Abolition of Slavery**  
   *Importance:* Central to the Haitian Revolution was the fight to end slavery. The abolitionist movement disrupted the existing economic and social order, paving the way for Haiti to become the first black republic and a symbol of freedom and resistance against slavery.

5. **Social Stratification**  
   *Importance:* The deeply divided social hierarchy in Saint-Domingue, based on race and economic status, created intense inequalities and tensions. Understanding this stratification is essential to comprehending the causes of the Haitian Revolution and the challenges faced in building a new, equitable society.
**1. How did the French colony in Saint-Domingue begin, and what was its significance as a pirate outpost?** The French established Saint-Domingue in the 17th century to grow sugar and coffee, making it a key pirate base. Its strategic location allowed pirates to attack ships and boost the local economy. **2. What was the disparity between the number of slaves and white population in Saint-Domingue?** There were many more enslaved Africans than white settlers in Saint-Domingue, creating a large and unequal population imbalance. **3. Describe the social divisions in colonial Saint-Domingue.** Saint-Domingue had a strict social hierarchy with wealthy white plantation owners at the top, followed by poorer whites, free people of color, and enslaved Africans at the bottom. **4. What sparked the unrest leading to Haiti's independence?** Unrest was caused by harsh slave conditions, the influence of the French Revolution, and conflicts between different social groups, leading to widespread rebellion. **5. What did Haitians fight for during their independence struggle?** Haitians fought for freedom, equality, and the end of slavery, aiming to create a society where all individuals could live freely and equally. --- **Five Key Words/Topics:** 1. **Sugar Plantations** *Importance:* Central to Saint-Domingue's economy and the reliance on slave labor. 2. **Free People of Color (Gens de Couleur)** *Importance:* Played a role in challenging the social hierarchy and advocating for rights. 3. **French Revolution Ideals** *Importance:* Inspired the fight for liberty, equality, and abolition of slavery. 4. **Abolition of Slavery** *Importance:* Central to the Haitian Revolution and the fight against colonial oppression. 5. **Social Stratification** *Importance:* Created deep inequalities that fueled the revolution and the push for a new society.

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