BONUS CONTENT - Fritznel D. Octave: How Haiti Shattered Chains and Gained Independence

Here's an excerpt from Fritznel D. Octave's book, 'Haiti Between Pestilence and Hope,'

During my conversation with Fritznel D. Octave, he delved into Haiti’s revolutionary roots, its fight for independence, and how this has shaped the (to use his words) state. He also revealed how he is combatting misinformation about his nation.

I’m sharing this excerpt from “Haiti: Between Pestilence and Hope: The Progressive Ideals from the Revolution of 1804 Set the Pace.” by Fritznel D. Octave. It paints an image of Haiti on the brink of revolution. It is republished with permission from the author.

The Spark of Revolution
In 1791, that volcano did erupt. Inspired by the ideals of liberty and
equality sweeping across France in its revolution, enslaved Haitians rose
against their enslavers. This wasn’t just a protest; it was a war cry, a
desperate bid for freedom in a land where shackles were a birthright.
Among the rebels shone a brilliant star: Toussaint Louverture. A
formerly enslaved man with a keen intellect and unmatched military
prowess, Toussaint united the disparate factions of the revolution. He
understood the brutal efficiency of colonial warfare and adapted his
tactics, using the island’s dense jungles and mountainous terrain to his
advantage.

The Haitian Revolution was a messy affair. It was a brutal dance of shifting
alliances, internal power struggles, and devastating losses. Initially caught
up in its turmoil, France underestimated the rebels’ resolve. But under the
ruthless Napoleon Bonaparte, France sent a mighty army to reclaim its
“property.”

Defiance Against a Global Power
Napoleon’s forces, hardened veterans of European conquests, expected a
swift victory. What they encountered was a nightmare. Disease, guerilla
warfare, and the unyielding spirit of the Haitian people decimated their
ranks. Even yellow fever, a nemesis to Europeans, seemed to side with
the revolutionaries.

One by one, French commanders fell. Toussaint, captured through
treachery, was shipped to France in chains and died in a freezing Alpine
dungeon. Yet, the revolution refused to die. Jean-Jacques Dessalines,
another formerly enslaved person and a military genius in his own right,
took the reins. He rallied the Haitians with a burning cry for vengeance
and total independence. [...]