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Difficulty: EasyAtlantic Revolutions and Ideological Declarations

Source: Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Haitian Declaration of Independence, 1804

"Citizens, it is not enough to have expelled from your country the barbarians who have bloodied it for two centuries... We must, by a last act of national authority, forever assure the empire of liberty in the country that gave us birth; we must take from the inhumane government, which has for a long time kept our minds in the most humiliating torpor, all hope of enslaving us again."

Which of the following best explains the primary goal of the author in the excerpt?

  1. A
    To negotiate a mercantilist trade agreement that would maintain exclusive economic ties with France
  2. B
    To establish a constitutional monarchy aligned with the French National Assembly
  3. To protect national sovereignty and permanently abolish the system of chattel slaveryAnswer
  4. D
    To transition the economy from plantation agriculture to industrial factory manufacturing

Answer

To protect national sovereignty and permanently abolish the system of chattel slavery
The correct answer is correct because the Haitian Declaration of Independence marks the culmination of the only successful slave revolt in modern history. The author, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, emphasizes the need to permanently defend their newly won freedom ('empire of liberty') against any attempt by France to re-establish colonial rule and the system of chattel slavery.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the source and context of the document.
The document is the Haitian Declaration of Independence from 1804, written by revolutionary leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines.
Contextualizing the source helps determine the specific goals and historical challenges of the Haitian Revolution.
2
Analyze the text for clues about the author's primary goal.
The text calls to 'assure the empire of liberty' and remove all hope from the French government of 'enslaving us again.'
This directly links the revolution's aims to maintaining freedom from colonial rule and preventing the re-imposition of slavery.
3
Select the option that matches the identified goals.
The option stating the goal was to protect national sovereignty and permanently abolish chattel slavery is correct.
This accurately reflects the dual anti-colonial and anti-slavery nature of the Haitian Revolution.

Key Concept

Atlantic Revolutions and Ideological Declarations
Estimated Time:45s
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Atlantic Revolutions and Ideological Declarations

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