Veiled Reality: The Haitian Revolution

Veiled Reality, Haitian Revolution

HyungKoo Choi

IAH202 Summer 12’

June 24th, 2012

If you had the chance to revise the French Declaration of the rights of man and citizens, how would you determine what the scope of such a revision to the French Declaration would have for all citizens? People today easily acknowledge that the French revolution was truly the starting point for realization of human rights, freedom, and equality.
If so, the question persists of how those responsible for the Hatian revolution came to realize the necessity for true human rights, freedom, and equality, all of which were largely influential in the French revolution. If the principles of the French Declaration were not of such a veracious nature, perhaps…show more content…
Despite the fact that The French Revolution has been called "the most important event in Western history," the French Revolution could be nothing more than an event that was guided by self-interest as we go through witnessed its process and consequences. For French,the right to vote, or economic freedom were their only measurement of human rights. However, rights, as it was for Haitian slaves who were treated as such a ‘tool’ rather than human beings, contained intrinsic value of freedom and emancipation. In receiving discriminatory treatment, “Vodou, more than a concept of religion but a spirit of emotional settlement or demanding freedom for Haitian slaves” ("An Introduction to Haitian Vodou"), stimulated them to organize a revolution for complete liberty and rights.
Moreover, comparing the agitators of each rebellion definitely depicts the different nature of a true democratic society. Maximilien Robespierre had become a byword for reign of terror, ‘sought political upheaval by specifying liberty and rights on constitution. Tragically, Robespierre had never stopped rationalize his thoughts on disorder in France; he had executed so many people under ‘national razor’ (The French Revolution). While he insisted on entire citizens’ rights, he had gone against the equality because of his egoistic…show more content…
I suppose all men are endowed with freedom and rights to the pursuit of equality. This liberty can be portrayed neither by particular groups nor abstract principles. Being human already provides the privilege of possessing liberty. The French Revolution initiated the first ideological concept of freedom and rights, but it was imperfect. Hence, Haitian Revolution was a more esteemed revolution in terms of enlightenment than the French Revolution was because it recognized mixed races and slaves as people with natural rights for the first time.

Works Cited
"An Introduction to Haitian Vodou." Lecture. MSU ANGEL Learning. Web. 20 June 2012. <https://angel.msu.edu/section/default.asp?id=US12-IAH-202-732-97BMR3-EL-04-075>.
Égalité for All: Toussaint Louverture and the Haitian Revolution. PBS.org, 25 Jan. 2009. Web. 21 June 2012. <https://angel.msu.edu/section/default.asp?id=US12-IAH-202-732-97BMR3-EL-04-075>.
France. National Constituent Assembly. Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. N.p.: n.p., n.d. MSU ANGEL Learning. Web. 22 June 2012. <https://angel.msu.edu/section/default.asp?id=US12-IAH-202-732-97BMR3-EL-04-075>.
The French Revolution. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2012.