In this compelling discussion, Alexander Aviña, an associate professor of Latin American history, sheds light on the Haitian Revolution—the globe's first successful slave revolt. He explores the brutal realities of plantation life in Saint-Domingue and the rise of monumental leaders like Toussaint Louverture. The conversation uncovers how this insurrection challenged colonial rule and served as a major inspiration for abolitionist movements. Furthermore, Aviña connects historical legacy to modern struggles for justice, emphasizing the importance of Black agency in revolutionary narratives.
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insights INSIGHT
Haitian Revolution's Radical Uniqueness
The Haitian Revolution is the most radical revolution often overlooked in history. - It was the only successful slave revolt and the world's first Black republic.
insights INSIGHT
Racism Behind "Outside Agitator" Myth
The "outside agitator" myth has long been used to deny Black agency in revolutions. - It perpetuates racist views that Black people lack the capacity for radical self-liberation.
insights INSIGHT
Sugar's Role in Colonial Wealth
Sugar production expansion fueled the brutal slave economy in Saint-Domingue. - This made Saint-Domingue the wealthiest colony, enriching France through merciless exploitation.
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Avengers of the New World provides a comprehensive narrative of the Haitian Revolution, which began in 1791 and culminated in Haiti's independence in 1804. Dubois examines the complex social dynamics and cultural influences that shaped this pivotal event, situating it within the broader context of the Age of Revolutions. The book offers insights into the revolution's impact on global politics and its enduring legacy in the struggle for human rights.
The silencing
Kirsten Powers
The Black Jacobins
Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution
C. L. R. James
Written by C.L.R. James in 1938, 'The Black Jacobins' is a pioneering historical work that recounts the Haitian Revolution of 1791–1804. The book places the revolution in the context of the French Revolution and highlights the leadership of Toussaint L'Ouverture, who rose from being a slave to a prominent figure espousing the French Revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality. James's work challenges conventional historiography by emphasizing the agency of the enslaved and their role in shaping their own history. It also explores the broader implications of the Haitian Revolution, linking it to the destruction of European feudalism and the global struggle against colonialism and slavery[1][4][5].
ORIGINALLY RELEASED Jun 21, 2020
In this episode, we explore the Haitian Revolution—the only successful slave revolt in history and a landmark event in the global struggle against colonialism and white supremacy. From the brutal plantation economy of Saint-Domingue to the rise of revolutionary leaders like Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, we trace how enslaved Africans overthrew French rule and declared the world’s first Black republic. We also examine how this radical uprising shook the foundations of empire, inspired abolitionist movements, and remains a crucial—yet often erased—chapter in revolutionary history.
Rev Left Radio 
