Napoleon and the re-establishment of slavery
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain Napoleon's role in the Haitian Revolution and his attempts to re-establish slavery.
Key learning points
- In 1801, Saint-Domingue's governor L'Ouverture issued a new constitution demanding their total independence from France.
- Napoleon Bonaparte, having seized power in France, wanted to re-establish French control over Saint-Domingue.
- French troops betrayed a truce and captured L'Ouverture, reinstating slavery wherever they had control on the island.
- The fight continued and, with the help of Napoleon's Polish troops who switched sides, the rebels drove the French out.
- In 1804, Saint-Domingue was proclaimed a free country and renamed Haiti.
Keywords
Elites - the group of people at the top of the social hierarchy with power and authority
Galvanised - the strengthening of a person’s determination
Lieutenants - the people that support the leader or general of an army
Grands blancs - the elites of French origin in the colony of Saint-Domingue, home of the Haitian Revolution
Common misconception
Sait-Domingue was independent from France under Toussaint L'Ouverture's leadership
Toussaint L'Ouverture was technically the French Governor of Saint-Domingue due to his leadership during the slave uprising there during the 1790s. His attempt to establish the colony as a free country though in 1801 was a step too far for Napoleon.
Teacher tip
Make sure students understand that the story goes beyond Toussaint L'Ouverture. His capture and deportation to France in 1802 acted as a catalyst for the rebels in Saint-Domingue to continue to fight on and eventually achieve independence in 1804.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes the group in a society who are at the top of the social hierarchy with power and authority?
Q2.Which of the below did Toussaint L’Ouverture not attempt to do during his time as the official French governor of Saint-Domingue?
Q3.Britain was worried about slave revolts spreading around the Caribbean. Which two territories were they worried about in particular?
Q4.Match the key features of the Haitian Revolution with the correct descriptions.
Q5.Which method of warfare did L’Ouverture’s troops use?
Q6.Complete the following sentence: Saint-Domingue was France's most profitable colony in the ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What did Toussaint L’Ouverture do when he learned of Napoleon’s plan to reinstate slavery in 1802?
Q2.Put the below events in chronological order, starting with the earliest.
Q3.What nationality were the portion of Leclerc's troops who switched sides to fight for the rebels against France?
Q4.Jean-Jacques Dessalines carried on the fight for the rebels after the capture of Toussaint L'Ouverture. Which one of the statements below is accurate?
Q5.Complete the following sentence: Saint-Domingue had been France's most profitable colony in the during the 18th century.
Q6.What was the name of the key lieutenant who took over from Toussaint L'Ouverture when he was captured by the French?
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: Napoleon and the re-establishment of slavery, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: Napoleon and the re-establishment of slavery, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Haitian Revolution: what was its role in the abolition of the slave trade? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.