History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China HAP 39 - Doris Garraway on the Haitian Revolution
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Nov 10, 2019 Doris Garraway, an Associate Professor of French at Northwestern University, dives into the intricacies of the Haitian Revolution. She sheds light on the oppressive conditions in Saint-Domingue under colonial rule and the complex relationships within the enslaved society. The discussion highlights how Enlightenment ideas shaped revolutionary thought and the challenges of achieving true freedom. Furthermore, Garraway explores the paradox of establishing authority in the new nation while seeking international recognition, emphasizing the revolution's enduring legacy in global struggles for liberation.
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Code Noir's Dual Purpose
- The Code Noir was a legal framework by the French crown to regulate slavery in Saint-Domingue and assert royal control.
- Though it imposed limits on masters' violence, brutality towards slaves intensified over time, requiring further control measures.
Enlightenment and Colonists' Views
- Enlightenment ideas influenced colonists who admitted slaves' humanity but sought to reform slavery, not end it.
- Interracial relationships shaped depictions of slaves as cultural subjects, complicating colonial social dynamics.
French Revolution Ideas and Haitian Revolt
- French Revolutionary ideas were present but not sole drivers of Haitian revolt; resistance predated these ideas.
- Early slave revolts used royalist rhetoric claiming rights from the king rather than Republican ideals.