In the case of the Haitian Revolution, Jefferson initially went against his Jeffersonian principles by advocating for support to help the whites of the island put down the revolt, even though he supported the general ideas of the French Revolution. However, he later aligned with his principles by cutting off assistance to France and declaring neutrality in the Caribbean, secretly allowing weapons to be sold to L'Ouverture and the rebels. Jefferson's hostility towards Haiti and refusal to recognize Haitian independence demonstrated a departure from his principles, as he sought to isolate the island and avoid revolutionary ideas spreading to slaves and abolitionists in America.
Overall, taking into account context, motive, significance, outcome, etc., I would assign Jefferson a grade of C for his actions in relation to the Haitian Revolution. While he initially supported the French and opposed the slave rebellion, he later changed his stance by cutting off assistance to France and secretly aiding the rebels. However, his subsequent hostility towards Haiti and refusal to recognize its independence undermined his adherence to his principles of equality and rights.
It is important to note that the grading system is subjective and may vary depending on individual interpretation.
For each event in Jefferson’s presidency, determine if he stuck to his own Jeffersonian principles and why/why not. Then, assign him a grade (A-F or numerical) in his overall actions, taking into account context, motive, significance, outcome, etc.
The Haitian Revolution
Beginning the 1790’s, enslaved people in the French colony of Saint Domingue (today’s nation of Haiti) were inspired by word of the French Revolution and began to rise up to overthrow the imperial government and demand the same equality and rights advocated during the French Revolution. Toussaint L’Ouverture, an educated slave on a sugar plantation, helped organize and lead a revolt against the whites of the island, hoping to establish an independent nation of former slaves. During Washington’s administration, Jefferson advocated providing support to help the whites of the island put down the revolt, even though he supported the general ideas of the French Revolution.
The beginning of the Federalist administration of President John Adams signaled a change in policy. Adams was resolutely anti-slavery and felt no need to aid white forces in St. Domingue. Adams also wished to preserve lucrative sugar trade links with the colony. Consequently, Adams decided to provide aid to L’Ouverture against his British-supported rivals, mainly in the form of weapons. L’Ouverture and the rebellious slaves were able to defeat British forces seeking to take control of the island.
At the beginning of Jefferson’s presidency, Spain ceded its Louisiana Territory to France, and Napoleon set his sights on regaining Haiti and reestablishing a North American Empire. In 1802, Napoleon sent forces to Haiti and to New Orleans, cutting off American access to the important trade port. Alarmed and worried about America’s own ability to expand and conduct trade, Jefferson reversed his earlier support for the French in retaking the island and cut off assistance the US had been providing to France, declaring neutrality in the Caribbean, but secretly allowing weapons to be sold to L’Ouverture and the rebels to prevent Napoleon from retaking the island.
By 1803, Napoleon gave up his dream of reconquering Haiti and of establishing an empire in America, ultimately leading to his willingness to sell the Louisiana Territory to the US.
Jefferson then grew more hostile toward Haiti. Toussaint’s successor, Dessalines began murdering remaining whites on the island. When he wrote a letter to Jefferson hoping to establish closer ties between the two countries, Jefferson ignored the letter and pursued a policy of isolating the island. Jefferson also wanted to avoid revolutionary ideas spreading to slaves and abolitionists in America. In 1806, Jefferson signed an embargo that outlawed all trade with the island to avoid upsetting either the French or southern slaveholders. Jefferson refused to recognize Haitian independence, a policy to which U.S. Federalists also agreed. Although France recognized Haitian independence in 1825, Haitians would have to wait until 1862 for the United States to recognize Haiti’s status as a sovereign, independent nation.
Documents: Below are two letters Jefferson wrote regarding the Haitain Revolution, written as he was serving as Secretary of State for George Washington.
1791 August 7 (Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph)
"A decree of the National assembly of France, giving the rights of citizenship to the free people of colour of St. Domingo, has thrown that colony into a dangerous fermentation."
1791 November 24 (Jefferson to William Short)
"The subject of independence and the liberated slaves’ expectation of it having been stated in the public papers has led to our conversation of it; and I must say they [Washington’s cabinet] appeared as far from these views as any person on earth. I expressed to them freely my opinion that such an object [St. Dominque’s independence] was neither desireable on their part nor attainable. We conceived it to be strongly our interests that they should retain their connection with the mother country.
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