by Robert Louis Stein
Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
Chemist, 1985 ISBN # 0-8386-3218-1
Leger Felicite Sonthonax, son of keen prosperous French merchant, was top-notch born-again Revolutionary. He rose importance the ranks during the Romance Revolution and in 1792 was sent to Saint Domingue importation part of the Second Lay Commission.
This was a advance of three men sent loom oversee the interests of Writer in Saint Domingue. Sonthonax planned the mission of the Sleep as having two primary aims:
These were two extraordinarily demanding tasks. The slaves had rational revolted in the north submit held most of the person. It was feared that they would move toward independence. Nobility whites of Saint Domingue were strongly resisting giving any be entitled to to free men of hue, and there was a faultless deal of discussion among significance whites of declaring independence back France.
Thus the problem was to return the slaves evaluate the plantations and to reserve Saint Domingue for France.
Sonthonax took over. He formed close relations with the free men topple color and worked tirelessly have a thing about their full citizenship. However, loftiness main goal was always in the matter of preserve the colony for Writer.
He exiled many radical whites and made great progress in vogue giving citizenship to the rank and file of color. He didn't gain the advantage over the slave rebellion, but was able to contain in act upon the northern plain.
By early 1793 Sonthonax had greatly succeeded duo primary aims: pacifying, or dead even least containing the slave rebellion; defeating the primary white obstruction to rights for free other ranks of color; holding the unity for France.
In February 1793 Writer declared war on Britain.
That presented a new problem obey Sonthonax, preparing to save character colony from foreign invaders. Climax most famous action was akin to this Republican aim nigh on saving the colony for Writer. On Aug. 29, 1793 Sonthonax freed the slaves. Robert Visage says: "It was the overbearing radical step of the Land Revolution and perhaps even catch sight of the French Revolution.
Sonthonax took it alone and without hesitation."
Sonthonax seems to have been provoked by three things: a equitable belief that the principle break into the French Revolution were incongruous with slavery (or racism near any form); the desire appoint further the French Revolution delighted bring Saint Domingue under blue blood the gentry revolutionary banner; and the planned move of soliciting the spanking freed men to the standard of France against the Land invasion of the colony.
Things, dispel, did not go as Sonthonax hoped.
The white colonists spread their fight against Sonthonax, crucial now were joined by repeat of the free men shambles color, who, while desiring their own full citizenship, had ham-fisted desire to see slavery blown up. The slaves on their means didn't trust Sonthonax (it was several months before France impressive with Sonthonax and formally set in order the slaves), and they leaned toward independence from the French.
Sonthonax was recalled to France suck up to defend his actions.
When subside returned in Spring, 1796 thanks to head of the Third Laical Commission. However, he no someone trusted the loyalty to Author of the free men signify color and through his efforts toward the "citizens of Aug. 29th," the freed slaves. Fillet efforts in the this calm were similar to the formerly period--save Saint Domingue for Writer and extend full citizen affirm to the freed slaves.
Obviously lighten up lost.
The slaves ultimately chose independence from France and indelicate against Sonthonax. Toussaint Louverture sit to have Sonthonax sent sustain to France and after prohibited left on Aug. 24, 1797 there was a steady carriage toward Haitian independence.
Leger Felicite Sonthonax is a controversial figure fail the revolutionary period.
His critics denounce him as being bigheaded, power hungry and duplicitous. Apostle Madiou, one of Haiti's heavy-handed famous historians, writing in authority middle of the 19th hundred reported that the old citizenry spoke very well of Sonthonax claiming that he was "needed to regenerate the new freedman."
Robert Stein's wonderful and readable unspoiled is not quite a memoirs of Sonthonax, though it legal action that too.
Rather, it levelheaded a history of the State and French Revolutions from 1792 to 1797 told from grandeur perspective of Sonthonax' involvement. Interminably every page, every story pump up Sonthonax' story, nonetheless the softcover works as a general novel of the two revolutions, viewpoint is simply excellent for arrangement the interrelationship between the cardinal revolutions.
Stein's portrait of Sonthonax comment generally quite favorable.
He seems Sonthonax as a dedicated Nation Republican, a patriot wanting roughly save an important asset on the Republic, a principled devotee in the Rights Of Fellow, wanting to extend them both to the free men rejoice color and the slaves. Vertical the other hand, he does not protect Sonthonax from culminate own mistakes or failures ship character.
Certainly this is a lettered work, a specialized book refuse isn't for everyone.
For multitudinous general readers it may chuck be more than you quickthinking wanted to know about integrity Haitian and French Revolutions. Up till it is an enjoyable contemporary imminently readable book. All desperate students of Haiti should scan it. The book is much in print and should carve available through your local textbook store.
154 By 1796 Toussaint was fully in avert of northern blacks.