Patterns of Continuity
While revolutions bring change, many aspects of society, culture, and economy remain constant.
Persistence Over Time
Slavery
The backbone of Haiti before the revolution was slavery. Their economy was largely dependent on sugar production. This was one of the most brutal cash crops to grow, leading to an extremely oppressive system.
Revolution
Fed up with the oppressive conditions, the revolt breaks out. The enslaved people fought against their enslavers but often lacked training until Louverture stepped up.
Slavery is ended
Slavery is officially ended when Léger-Félicité Sonthonax comes from France to Haiti and proclaims that the slaves are free, and that people have equal rights regardless of skin color. However, injustice remains
Enduring Characteristics
Key areas where continuity was observed.
Racial Makeup
Just like before the revolution, the population of Haiti was majority black.
Economic Dependency
Haiti still depended on farming to survive, as they had not industrialized.
Isolation
Haiti, as an island, was greatly isolated.
Continuity among chaos
Despite politically and socially going through much change and turmoil, many things stayed the same.
- • Population's racial makeup
- • Dependence on agriculture
- • Isolation and disconnect
Why this continued
Many of these continuties existed because of Haiti's geographic and economic reality.
- ✓ The distance from Europe meant that it was hard for people to come to Haiti and given that at one point Haiti was filled with slave plantations, the population consisted primarily of formerly enslaved people after the revolution.
- ✓ Haiti's economy had been build on sugar plantations and slave labor, creating a dependence on agriculture. As a result, Haiti had not industrialized and agriculture remained the foundation of its economy.
- ✓ The distance and the nature of being an island meant Haiti was isolated. At this time, there was not effiecient long distance communication further cutting Haiti off from much of the outside world.