Napoleon and the re-establishment of slavery
I can explain Napoleon's role in the Haitian Revolution and his attempts to re-establish slavery.
Napoleon and the re-establishment of slavery
I can explain Napoleon's role in the Haitian Revolution and his attempts to re-establish slavery.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In 1801, Saint-Domingue's governor L'Ouverture issued a new constitution demanding their total independence from France.
- Napoleon Bonaparte, having seized power in France, wanted to re-establish French control over Saint-Domingue.
- French troops betrayed a truce and captured L'Ouverture, reinstating slavery wherever they had control on the island.
- The fight continued and, with the help of Napoleon's Polish troops who switched sides, the rebels drove the French out.
- In 1804, Saint-Domingue was proclaimed a free country and renamed Haiti.
Keywords
Elites - the group of people at the top of the social hierarchy with power and authority
Galvanised - the strengthening of a person’s determination
Lieutenants - the people that support the leader or general of an army
Grands blancs - the elites of French origin in the colony of Saint-Domingue, home of the Haitian Revolution
Common misconception
Sait-Domingue was independent from France under Toussaint L'Ouverture's leadership
Toussaint L'Ouverture was technically the French Governor of Saint-Domingue due to his leadership during the slave uprising there during the 1790s. His attempt to establish the colony as a free country though in 1801 was a step too far for Napoleon.
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Napoleon and the re-establishment of slavery, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Napoleon and the re-establishment of slavery, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Haitian Revolution: what was its role in the abolition of the slave trade? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
the title given to Toussaint L’Ouverture after the revolt
enslaved people gaining their freedom
French colony on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean
the French elites who rules Saint-Domingue
Spanish colony on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean
the outlawing of enslavement by a government