The Success Of Voodoo And The Haitian Revolution

Although the Haitian Revolution was a very popular breakthrough in the modern world, many look over the facts that made this revolution successful. In 1625 the first French pirates arrived in northern Saint Domingue. Their goal was to use the island as a base and settlement for raids against the Spanish. Little did they know that while being there they were going to create a lucrative colony built up on many different plantations that were run by enslaved people imported from Africa. During the time that the enslaved people were there, they rebelled. In August of 1791, a passionate and well-organized slave rebellion broke out. This started the marking of a twelve-year resistance to obtain human rights. Through many events and altercations led

Voodoo, a religion that was followed by the enslaved people was at first, banned. The enslaved people were forced to convert to Catholicism. However, after some time the enslaved people started integrating parts of catholicism into voodoo to hide it from their masters. On the other hand, voodoo played a vital role in the independence, unity, and sanity of the enslaved, and it helped them by guiding their wants and needs throughout this tough period. Endless songs and meetings about voodoo led to the success of the revolution. “Voodoo was important for enslaved people in the colonial period for a number of reasons. Voodoo provided a way for enslaved people to assert some independent control over their lives. It allowed them to reaffirm their individual dignity, while also strengthening social bonds that were not based on the system of slavery. Voodoo became a very powerful way of bringing people together and uniting them.” As seen from the quote voodoo was an essential part of the enslaved people’s motivation for the revolution. Voodoo was one of the only things to unite them together, make them feel whole, and even give them hope. With every meeting that took place the enslaved people became stronger together and pushed one another through their struggles. An additional part of the voodoo meetings that made them very powerful was the passion that went into them. “We swear to destroy the white and all that they possess; let us die rather than fail to keep this vow.” A major part of voodoo was passion. Passion fueled the enslaved people and drove them toward their goals. Referring to the quote, the enslaved people would rather die than not fulfill their goal. This is the passion and commitment that was necessary within the enslaved people. The commitment to give their life for the cause drove them to success throughout the revolution. A part of this drive that went into these voodoo