The Age of Napoleon Podcast

Episode 78: Free Haiti

Apr 23, 2021
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ANECDOTE

Sonthonax's Self-Styled Savior Role

  • Étienne Polverel's successor Sonthonax returned to power as governor and clashed with Toussaint.
  • Sonthonax saw himself as the "savior of the black race" but did not treat blacks as equals.
INSIGHT

Ruler On The Road

  • Toussaint became de facto ruler, combining military reach with civic engagement across Haiti.
  • He held daily audiences, used Creole and French to connect with different groups, and built popular loyalty.
INSIGHT

Exports Collapsed, Money Lost Value

  • Haiti's export economy collapsed with coffee at 2.8% and sugar at 1.2% of prewar levels.
  • In many regions, money lost utility as survival needs outran market trade.
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