something or someone who has the power and ability to make their own decisions and is not controlled by others

the legal outlawing of enslavement in a nation or empire

the freeing of enslaved people through abolition

The role of the Haitian Revolution in the abolition of the slave trade

History

The causes of the Haitian Revolution

Toussaint L'Ouverture and the fight for independence

Napoleon and the re-establishment of slavery

Abolitionist movements in Britain

The 1807 abolition of the slave trade

In this unit, pupils investigate how the Haitian Revolution influenced the abolition of the slave trade by demonstrating the power of enslaved people in overthrowing colonial rule. In the next unit, ‘Interpreting the British Empire: how has it been commemorated and contested?’, pupils will explore how the legacies of colonialism and abolition are remembered and debated in modern times.

In ‘Transatlantic Slavery: how were West African societies impacted?’, pupils studied the profound social, economic, and cultural disruptions caused by the transatlantic slave trade. This unit builds on that by exploring how the Haitian Revolution played a critical role in challenging slavery and advancing the movement for abolition.

In this unit, pupils learn about the causes and conduct of the Haitian Revolution before reflecting on its role in the abolition of the British slave trade in 1807.

The Haitian Revolution: what was its role in the abolition of the slave trade? 

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Match the countries with the statements, thinking about the extent of the impact that the Haitian Revolution had on abolition in these countries.

Which British abolitionist was strengthened by the Haitian Revolution?

Complete the following sentence: The Haitian Revolution quickly led to the abolition of enslavement throughout France’s {{}}, but Napoleon overturned this decision soon afterwards.

The Haitian Revolution had a mixed impact on abolition in France

The Haitian Revolution had a positive impact on abolition in Britain

The Haitian Revolution accelerated abolition in the USA

Which of the following statements are accurate?

Where were Britain worried that slave revolts would spread to?

Who wrote an autobiography about their life as an enslaved person that brought awareness to the British public about the realities of enslavement?

What was the name of the French colony where the Haitian Revolution broke out in 1791?

British law outlawing buying, selling or transporting enslaved people

French law outlawing enslavement throughout the French Empire

French law by Napoleon reinstating enslavement in the French Empire

Haitian law declaring freedom from France and independence for Haiti

Match the legal reforms below to their descriptions.

Revolution broke out in Saint-Domingue (now referred to as 'Haiti')

France initially opposed the Haitian Revolution

France relented and in 1794 it outlawed enslavement across its empire

Britain invaded Saint-Domingue, hoping to take control of the colony

Britain failed to capture Saint-Domingue and worried revolts could spread

Napoleon reinstated enslavement in 1802 and tried and failed to recapture Haiti

Britain, facing abolitionist public pressure, enacted the 1807 Slave Trade Act

Put the following events into chronological order, beginning with the earliest:

Which three adjectives best describe the idea of enslavement, from a human rights perspective?

Complete the following sentence with the first name of the relevant person: "{{}} L'Ouverture led the Haitian rebels during the Haitian Revolution until his capture and imprisonment by France."

The role of the Haitian Revolution in the abolition of the slave trade

Lesson outcome

Content guidance