Question

SOURCE 1C
The War for Independence
To prevent any further uprisings, Leclerc ordered a policy of disarming all former slaves. Fighting resumed
when many black people feared this was the first step toward the return of the slave plantation system.
Yellow fever hit Napoleon’s troops hard in the spring and summer of 1802. This tropical disease was
introduced to the New World by the slave ships from Africa. Although the slaves were not immune, they were much more resistant to this disease than the French and other whites. As yellow fever weakened the French forces, rebel fighters drove them and civilians into the cities where they sought protection. But the overcrowding only spread the disease faster. No one knew that yellow fever was caused by a virus spread by mosquitoes and that it was contagious among humans. During the epidemic, nearly half the French troops who arrived with Leclerc died of the disease. Many others were too sick to fight. Leclerc then called for a war of extermination of all rebels



Refer to source 1C
1.3.1 How according to the source did yellow fever impact Napoleon’s troops in 1802? (2)
1.3.2 Why were the slaves more resistant to yellow fever compared to the French and other whites? (2)
1.3.3 What was the general understanding of disease transmission during the time of the yellow fever outbreak according to the source? (3)
1.3.4 Using the relevant information on the source and your own knowledge explain What consequence did the spread of yellow fever have on the French forces during the conflict? (4)
1.3.5 What was the main fear of many black people that led to the resumption of fighting?

Answer 1

1.3.1 Yellow fever had a significant impact on Napoleon’s troops in 1802; it weakened the French forces, with nearly half of the troops who arrived with Leclerc dying of the disease and many others becoming too sick to fight. This resulted in a diminished military capability for the French and contributed to their inability to suppress the rebellion effectively. (2)

1.3.2 The source suggests that slaves were more resistant to yellow fever compared to the French and other whites because they had developed some level of immunity or resistance to the disease, which was a result of their exposure to similar tropical diseases during their time in Africa. (2)

1.3.3 During the time of the yellow fever outbreak, the general understanding of disease transmission was limited; people did not know that yellow fever was caused by a virus spread by mosquitoes, nor did they understand that it was contagious among humans. This lack of understanding contributed to the ineffective response to the disease and outbreak management. (3)

1.3.4 The spread of yellow fever had serious consequences for the French forces during the conflict. The loss of nearly half of the troops due to the disease severely weakened their fighting capability. As many soldiers became incapacitated from illness, Leclerc's ability to suppress the rebellion was compromised, leading to an escalation of the fight by the rebel forces. This ultimately contributed to the deterioration of French control in the region and the eventual failure of their military campaign. (4)

1.3.5 The main fear of many black people that led to the resumption of fighting was the fear that the disarming policy ordered by Leclerc was the first step toward the return of the slave plantation system. This fear motivated them to fight back against the French forces to protect their freedom and resist the potential reinstatement of slavery.