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Jean-Jacques Dessalines: The man who challenged slavery in its entirety.Haïti : Jean-Jacques Dessalines
Jean-Jacques Dessalines: The man who challenged slavery in its entirety.
Haïti : Jean-Jacques Dessalines
  • May 29, 2024
  • | 2

Jean-Jacques Dessalines: The man who challenged slavery in its entirety.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines is an emblematic figure in modern world history for his fruitful involvement in the fight against the slave system. Through his dedication and courage, he embodied the indomitable spirit of an entire black people forcibly deported from the African continent, implanted by this same violent mechanism, in America to suffer, but determined to free themselves from oppression by forging their own destiny despite all the risks and difficulties. Dessalines’ entire life, his entire journey bears the mark of a life inscribed in the fight to free his loved ones. His unfailing determination and passion for freedom made him a living symbol of resistance for all the oppressed nations of the earth, more than two centuries after his death.
We wrongly associate the image of Jean-Jacques Dessalines with chaos. The sole aim is to discredit his immense legacy before the eyes of history. “Koupe tèt, boule Kay” is the preferred expression to use for such purposes against his character, along the way, expressly forgetting the historical context hidden in the back of the “koupe tèt boule Kay” in question, also refusing to register this approach historical in the logic of a just and courageous stand, in the face of a barbaric, slavery system, devoid of morality and humanity.

Haïti : Jean-Jacques DessalinesHaïti : Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Dessalines the rebellious child

History records that Dessalines was born around 1758 in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord, in the north of the French colony of Saint-Domingue. Like all black people of his time, a life installed in the midst of systemic violence built against his body and characterized by the most extreme brutality on his body was handed to him at birth. It was born in a context unfavorable to the development of all human life.
From an early age, Dessalines already demonstrated a rebellious spirit and a deep aversion to the injustice of slavery. It is said that his master whipped him much more than the other young slaves. His rebellion regularly manifests itself through acts of defiance towards this so-called master, but also through the incarnation of an intense thirst for freedom for him and his loved ones through his actions.
From this period of his life, Dessalines quickly learned about the harsh reality of slavery, and this knowledge was the foundation of his commitment to the liberation of the Haitian people.

Haïti : Jean-Jacques DessalinesHaïti : Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Dessalines the exemplary soldier

The Haitian Revolution, which began in 1791, offered Dessalines the opportunity to transform his hatred of oppression into concrete action. Without hesitation, he joined the ranks of freedom fighters and quickly distinguished himself by his courage and bravery in the military hierarchy alongside Toussaint Louverture. Very quickly, he was able to climb the ranks and become one of the latter’s main lieutenants, until he put himself in the position of the one capable of succeeding him after his arrest to continue the struggle which would lead to the final victory of the slaves. of Saint-Domingue against the Napoleonic army.
Less strategist than his predecessor at the head of the indigenous army, certainly, but his radicalism and his determination beyond measure on the battlefields were able to inspire his comrades-in-arms in a very short time, leading to January 1, 1804, the day of the independence of Haiti.
Dessalines, father of the Haitian nation
After the arrest and deportation of Toussaint Louverture by the French in 1802, Dessalines succeeded the latter at the head of the native army in a natural way. His keen sense of leadership allowed him to achieve the union of blacks and mulattoes against the white slaveholders of Saint-Domingue, thereby strengthening his army, with the expertise of the mulattoes (who for the most part were trained in France ), alongside the brute force represented by the mass of slaves who made up the bulk of his army. This approach, fortunately, will be rewarded by an unprecedented victory, that of an army made up of slaves who became victors, facing the slave power that was France at the time.
As the first head of state of Haïti (the first independent black nation in the modern world and the first country in the Americas to abolish slavery), Dessalines adopted the title of emperor under the name of Jacques I very soon after his taking office as head of state. Firstly out of pure symbolism, and then with the aim of recognizing herself as the equal of the Emperor of France.
At the head of the young Haitian nation, he strove to rebuild the country ravaged by years of war for independence and to lay the foundations of a free and egalitarian society. In 1805 he established a constitution based on bravery, human dignity and justice. He also established public policies aimed at redistributing land to protect the right of former slaves to access better living conditions. The whole, by registering Haïti as a land of safety against all forms of slavery, and a land of welcome for the oppressed from around the world.
Among other things, Like any good father, Dessalines was committed to the defense of his subjects. The fortification of the national territory to prevent potential aggression from former settlers remains one of the flagship projects which demonstrate to what extent he was a visionary leader.

Haïti : Jean-Jacques DessalinesHaïti : Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Dessalines the martyr

Despite his successes, Dessalines’ reign was marked by its short duration, internal tensions and power conflicts. His authoritarian style of governance and his efforts to centralize power had earned him many enemies among Haitian elites, including within the indigenous army. On October 17, 1806, Dessalines was assassinated by conspirators, betrayed by some of his closest allies.
His premature death transformed him into a martyr for the cause of Haiti’s freedom and independence. Dessalines’ vision of a free and egalitarian Haïti with the aim of inspiring nations around the world did not die with his death, because in leaving, Dessalines left the example of his life as an inspiring tool for his descendants. In addition, he deserves to be honored for his very decisive role in the fight against the system of absolute shame, that of slavery, and for his essential contribution in the creation of the first black republic in the world. .
If only for these two major achievements, his legacy must be known and endure not only in Haiti, but in any place that claims to be on the side of human rights, throughout the world. His exploits must resonate as a testimony to the power of the human spirit in the face of oppression.
Dessalines, the man who challenged slavery in its entirety, will forever be engraved in history as a champion of human dignity and freedom. Humanity will always owe him a debt of gratitude.

Haïti / Fort Saint-Joseph: Historical Vestige of the Resistance

Located in the Bay of Cap-Haitien, Fort Saint-Joseph stands like a silent guardian of Haiti’s tumultuous history. Built in two stages, in 1748 and 1774, this defensive work was once a crucial element of the city’s protection system against French colonial assaults. Alongside other forts such as Picolet and Magny, its mission was to control maritime passages and defend Haitian sovereignty. However, its history is not limited to its defensive function. In 1802, then under the control of General Henry Christophe, the fort became the scene of a heroic act of resistance. Faced with the French expeditionary army, Christophe ordered the destruction of the powder magazine and the entrance gate to the fort, thus rendering it temporarily unusable. This courageous gesture, although tactical, left indelible scars on the very structure of the fort, testifying to the fierce clashes between French colonial forces and Haitian resistance fighters. These historic marks, still visible today, offer a window into the country’s tumultuous past. They allow visitors and historians to interpret the fierce struggles that forged Haitian identity. Fort Saint-Joseph, as a witness to the resistance and the struggle for freedom, embodies the indomitable spirit of the Haitian people. Recognizing its historical significance, the Haitian government officially classified Fort Saint-Joseph as national heritage in 1995. This recognition paved the way for restoration efforts aimed at preserving this precious vestige of Haitian military heritage. Thanks to collaboration between the public sector and local private funding, the fort has recently been restored and enhanced. Thus, Fort Saint-Joseph remains much more than a simple stone structure. It is a living symbol of the resilience and determination of the Haitian people, reminding all visitors that Haiti’s history is deeply rooted in the struggle for freedom and human dignity. To virtually discover this jewel of Haitian history, you can visit the following link: https://haitiwonderland.com/haiti-virtual-reality-ht/monuments-histoire/haiti--fort-saint-joseph--visite- virtual/11

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About the Author
Moise Francois

Journalist editor, poet and apprentice lawyer.

See other articles from Moise Francois
Laura Calva

Excelente artículo, he disfrutado cada parte como si lo que leyera se convirtiera en una proyección en mi mente, muy buen trabajo.

September 05, 2024 - 01:28:41 AM
Granados Gabriel

Pardon mais vous oubliez de dire que c'est en août 1793 que l'esclavage avait été aboli par le commissaire Sonthonax, certes de manière opportuniste mais non sans un certain idéal d'égalité issu de la Révolution Française. Vous omettez également de spécifier que Dessalines, ainsi que Christophe avaient trahi Toussaint Louverture, occasionnant sa déportation et ce qui après la défaite de la France, leur offrait opportunément la possibilite de prendre le pouvoir de manière pour le moins autoritaire sur l'île délivrée des colons français.

November 02, 2024 - 07:53:49 PM
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Haïti Wonderland: How to Rewrite the Narrative of Haïti on the Web?

For the last three decades the internet has transformed the way people live, access information and promote worthy causes. Institutions that embrace this technology lead the way in their respective industries and last, while countries that embrace this technology and wisely implement it enable themselves to thrive and build sustainable economies. After decades of existence, the internet has been shared with mainly two groups of people; those who use it as a tool to build, and those who use it as a tool of destruction. Those who see the internet as a bridge to make a positive impact in the world and those who see it as the comfy bed to never leave, hence, the difference between the consumer and producer. Unfortunately our beloved home, Haiti, has been of the former mindset. Is it a lack of vision, lack of skills and competences or is it lack of hard working individuals? Regardless what it is or had been for decades, now is the time to change the paradigm on all fronts necessary and reshape the future. If the past decades have been ruled by non-production and negative press, now is the time to change the paradigm by producing and using the limitless of the web to sell the beauty, the culture and the greatness of Haïti to the rest of the world. If the past has been ruled with a selective truth and an effort to showcase the worst and by extension create the worst narrative, now, my fellow Haitian, regardless of where you are on this planet, is the time for us to undertake this mission, to take responsibility and recreate the narrative of our mother land. A narrative based on truth and transparency, a narrative that tells the story of who we are and certainly who we are not, a narrative to invite the world to explore and see for themselves. It is our duty. If not now, when? If not you and I, then, who? Our main mission at Haïti Wonderland is to rewrite the narrative of Haïti on the web. Then use the internet to bring Haïti back to the top of the touristic destination map once again. Those are what motivate us, the oxygen that we breath, they are the reason we wake up in the morning and fight. We didn’t choose this path because we know it will be easy but we choose it because: 1. It is a noble cause 2. It is necessary and 3. It must be done. But must importantly we take this path because we know you and every Haitian in this world, who knows the truth about Haïti are tired with what you see when typing Haïti on the web, and at the same time understand that something must change, and it must be done as soon as possible. We know you are ready for this, and together we will change the narrative of Haïti on the web and we will bring Haïti back to the top of the touristic destination map. This is a call of duty to you, regardless of your field of endeavor or where you’re located in this world. This is a call to join (http://haitiwonderland.com) to first see for yourself the movement you’re joining, then create your own account and start creating and sharing. Together we will rewrite the narrative of Haïti on the web. Thank you for joining this worthy cause. Let’s invite the world to discover the true face of Haiti.

History

History

First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.

Natural beauty

Natural beauty

Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

Heritage

Heritage

Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Culture

Culture

Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.