From Enlightenment To The Haitian Revolution

From Enlightenment To The Haitian Revolution The purpose of this research paper is to follow the path of the French Enlightenment through its internal revolution, and, consequently, its revolutions in its New World colonies. Upon doing so, it will be determined that ideologies present in the French Enlightenment are present in the following revolutions. Furthermore, it will be concluded that the French Revolution not only resulted in revolutions in its colonies, but it served as the catalyst due to faulty trans-Atlantic bureaucracy. The Age of Enlightenment was a period in Europe that has deep roots in France. The ultimate goal of this movement was to reform society, pursue knowledge, and enforce the new humanist and liberal ideologies the Enlightenment gave birth to (Hyland et al., 2003). Great works from Descartes and John Locke advocated for the equality of all men and women and an end to government corruption and abuse of power (2003). While these ideas have been posited in the past, the social and political conditions of France demanded they be answered. The end of the Enlightenment directly coincides with the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. The French Revolution began in 1789 due to a myriad of causes ranging from the tangible to the philosophical: with ideals from the enlightenment being the catalyst (Anderson, 2005). Combine this with Frances debt problems, its attempt to solve the problem through raising taxes, and the history of broken promises from the Monarchy, a revolution of the proletariat with ideas of equality was bound to happen (2005). When Paris was consumed by riots and the French Guard took sides with the revolutionaries, the motion had begun which would have drastic implications for Frances territories abroad. To briefly summarize the effects of the French Revolution in its territories, the dissolution of the monarchy, lack of control over its foreign operations, and the resources needed domestically to manage the revolution, resulted in France losing its power hold over its colonies (2005). The historical significance of Haiti will be discussed heavily; however, it is important to recognize that while France was having its own internal changes, the development of the colonies carried its own set of problems that would greatly aid in the revolutions against France. It was not a question that since the French Revolution was explicitly built on the war cries of liberty and equality that this mentality would find it in the mechanisms behind the French slave trade and colonial system. French Slavery There were several French colonies in the Caribbean in which slavery was the modus operandi for their plantation based economies. The plantations typically produced sugar, coffee, and, later, cotton. Due to the size of Saint Domingue, present day Haiti, it will receive the most emphasis. Saint Domingue had approximately 500,000 slaves (Fick, 1990). Ironically, approximately one third of all slaves owned were owned by previously freed slaves; however, these free slaves were not allowed to hold any office or practice in any profession. The slave system in the French colonies was regulated by a series of edicts from the King, the most important being the French Code Noir proclaimed in March of 1685 (Fick, 1990). While this code presented the terms and conditions of slave owning and managing through a strictly religious perspective, they outline how slaves would be sold, how their family life would be dictated, forms of punishments, and life after slavery: unlike British slaves, many French slaves could eventually become free (The Code Noir, 1687). Saint Domingue was Frances most profitable colony and most pivotal in its Atlantic slave trade. At this point, it is essential to emphasize two key points. The first is that Saint Domingue was Frances most profitable colony. The second is that France was entering a period of Enlightenment at this time. Due to the importance of the slaves in the islands and the rise of enlightenment in France, many French diplomats began to attempt to understand the slaves for which they were responsible for. One notable individual is Mederic Louis Elie Moreau de Saint Mery, who approached the slaves from an almost anthropological and social point of view. Upon doing so, he realized several key tenants that would dictate how the French treated the slaves and their future role in the Haitian revolution. He concluded that many slaveholders feared the threat of slaves running away, try to poison them, and a great fear for their religious which many viewed as barbaric and rooted in African voodoo (de St. Mery, 1947). Saint Domingues Response to the French Revolution Upon hearing of the enlightenment movements and the quest for liberty and equality taking hold in France, the colonies were quick to take part by sending delegates to France to demand representation in the new National Assembly that would be formed. The purpose of this movement was to ensure the economic interests of white planters would be accounted for. The mulattos, or previously freed slaves, also sent delegates to France, but they were ignored for the most part. The main agent of action would come from the Society of Friends of the Blacks whose members included Jacques-Pierre Brissot and the leader of abolition in Britain, Thomas Clarkson. Branching off of enlightenment ideologies, the sought the commencement of abolition and to pursue better public relations with slaves including more rights and government positions. As Fick would suggest, however, their efforts fell on deaf ears and quickly became overshadowed by the crisis of the First French Republic and the outbreak of the Haitian Revolution (Gaspar et al., 1997). Even though French colonists, freed slaves, and slaves alike attempted to gain greater rights and were promptly ignored, the necessity for dramatic changed intensified. The complete disregard of the homeland French from the French colonialist resulted in the radicals, supporters of the enlightenment, to fight for complete civil and political equality of blacks and slaves in the colonies. Needless to say, this was met which much fervor and opposition from the white plantation owners who had their economic and business interests to protect. As the French Revolution began the movement in favor of granting rights to free blacks and abolish the slave trade, the uncertainty of Saint Domingue became increasingly evident. Success of the working classes in France created a mentality that there was hope among the free blacks and mulattos in the colonies (Fick, 1990). The uncertainty for the future of Saint Domingue resulted in an ever increasing polarization of the colony in which there was no middle ground to be found or settled upon. French radicals promised freedom for all, while white planters, fearful of this movement spreading, demanded complete independence from France and an abolishment of the Code Noir in favor of a much stricter code (Fick, 1990). Very is little known amount the internal mechanisms of the slave rebellion fomenting, but an excerpt from Henry Christophes slave paints squalid conditions when he writes, Have they not forced them to consume faeces? And, having flayed them with the last, have they not cast them alive to be devoured by worms, or lashed to stakes in the swamp to be devoured by mosquitoes (Heine, 1996). With a sentiment like this, it is certain that slaves wanted to be free. Another point to consider is the economic impact of freeing the slaves on the island; this was the one issue the white plantations holders feared the most. Whether slavery was still utilized after the French Revolution or not, the fact of the matter is the burden would be placed upon the white plantation owners. These sentiments were reaffirmed by Americas ability to maintain a system of slavery despite British edicts to end the slave trade previously. They went even as far to petition the National Assembly to remove themselves from the French Constitutional powers and prosecute anyone by death who attempted to create a slave based rebellion: this was granted, however it would prove not to be enough. Furthermore, initially blacks and mulattos believed their National Assembly would benefit them as it was going to benefit their counterparts in France; however, this was not the case. The French governments, before during and after the revolution, had no intention to relinquish any power of its territories. Rising Tensions As the National Assembly attempted to quell the opposition from the white plantation owners, unrest began to ferment in Saint Domingue. Most notably, the National Assembly and their March 1790 Decree failed to address the needs and political rights of free blacks: this would be a major mistake (Brown.edu, 2012). While the free blacks had a strong understanding of what was occurring, the slaves did not: yet the French Revolutionary slogan of liberty, equality, and freedom was easy to understand and began to ferment rebellious attitudes. The one key factor they had, that ultimately resulted in their success, was that slaves and free blacks accounted for a significant majority of the population. As a result, slaves began to plan and coordinate how they were going to overthrow their owners, blacks and white alike. The first slave rebellion took place in October of 1790 in which 350 mulattos rebelled against their plantation owners (Brown.edu, 2012). This resulted in very violent killings in which owners were massacred and tortured in some cases. The rebellion was quickly quelled when the French militia aligned with plantation owner resulting in the public execution of James Oge in 1791 (Brown.edu, 2012). Rather than quell rebellious sentiment, this action added fuel to the fire and served as an irreparable incident for the island. In order to combat any future rebellions, the de factor leaders Francois Dominique Toussaint-Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines prompted the National Assembly in France to enact progressive laws. As a result, on May 15, 1791, the National Assembly granted equal political rights to all free mulattos and blacks provided they were born from free parents (Brown.edu, 2012). This did very little to appease the majority slave population, and research shows that this law, although progressive, only applied to a few hundred individuals. Needless to say, it was not want the slaves and former slaves needed nor wanted. As a result of this law, white plantation owners utilized more aggressive and abusive policies to their slaves paving the way for the point of no return. The Haitian Revolution Despite repeated efforts on all sides to address the issue of slavery, the demands on all parties were not being achieved. Fed up with government bureaucracy and familiar of Frances growing decline in the region, even more slave rebellions began to occur. The most notable occurred on August 22, 1791, in which the slaves began an approximate 7 years war against their colonialists (Anderson, 2005). It is important to note that during this time, the French National Assembly rescinded the rights given to free blacks and mulattos which only worsened relations and caused the slaves to burn down plantations, destroy government buildings, and massacre all whites and government officials. While the government in France, no matter the form, was unable nor unwilling to do anything about the slavery situation in Saint Domingue, the slaves were becoming more organized and began to make pacts with British and Spanish navies for freedom. The growing fear of losing its colonies to foreign powers dur ing its revolution forced France to abolish slavery on February 4, 1794 (Fick, 1997). This marks the first successful revolution of slaves against a foreign power.

Octavia E. Butler. Parable of the Sower Essay

Octavia E. Butler. Parable of the Sower Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The novel, parable of the sower was authored by Octavia E. Butler. The novel was published in 1993. It is the first book in a two-book series of science and fiction books written by Octavia E. Butler which is set in a prospect where the government has collapsed. The novel is centered on Lauren Olamina a young woman who has the ability to feel and perceive pain and many other sensations of others. She develops a benevolent religious and philosophical religion in her childhood in the remaining parts of a gated community in Los Angeles (the writer has dubbed this hyperempathy). During that time, there is increased resource scarcity and high levels of poverty which has led the civil society to revert to relative anarchism. As soon as the community’s security is compromised, her home is shattered and her family is murdered. After the incidence that led to loss of her parents, Lauren Olamina travels to North together with other survivors to go and try to start a new community where her faith- Earthseed can grow and thrive. The novel describes the conditions the society is going through in the city of California in 2024. The city has turned to hell and this has led to creation of three classes of people who are miles apart financially and in their societal status .i.e. the poor, the middle class and the rich. The poverty and insecurity levels not only in California but also in the whole of America are very high with different politicians giving empty promises on how they will alleviate the situation. Against such unpleasant background, Butler presents her intelligent heroine, Lauren who is believed to be thoughtful and independent girl who apart from thinking about herself she suffers from what the writer terms as â€Å"hyperempathy syndrome†- She is exceedingly sensitive to the agony of others, feeling it as if it were her own. It is this feeling that keeps pressuring her to change not only the belief system but also economically change the society and redeem her people from the anguish they are going through. Lauren does not acknowledge the belief system of her elders but make an effort to start her own system that is true according to her experience and that is accorded with common sense and observation. From the novel we get to know that Lauren acquired the â€Å"hyperempathy syndrome.† from her drug-addicted mother who died while giving birth to her.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is no freedom in Laurent’s society. At the onset of the novel, we find Lauren, her family and other families that live within the walled neighborhood living as virtual prisoners.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Any time they want to go outside they must be armed. They live under endless siege resulting from drug addicts and thieves who aimlessly wander the streets outside. These drug addicts are desperate and many a times they break into their neighborhood, burn, steal and rummage whatever they can. In Laurent’s society, there are is no potentials for the young that are within the walls-they will continue to get poor due to lack of jobs and their lives continue to worsen slowly. For example what Bianca Montoya-seventeen year old expects when she marries is to live in a garage-like house. The national government is helpless to improve the condition. The sole option for Laurent’s people is moving to urban of Olivar’s company. But for the people who consider this option, they do so for the sake of their security and not for freedom reasons since the company will assume responsibility of each part of their lives- Lauren refuses t o go to Olivar. She instead journeys to the north for freedom despite the fact that she is aware of the danger of thejourneyand she does not clearly know her endpoint. Most of those people that travel with her are doing so as to escape virtual slavery. For example Zahra Moss escaped frequent fight from her husband, Allie Gilchrist and Jill were escaping slavery from their father who had forced them to prostitution and Jill and Allie Gilchrist was running from her employer who is enslaving her due to her debtr. Laurent’s arrival at Bankole’s property gives her to choose on of whether to stay there or not. Though survival in this new place is challenging, they have the privilege of freeing from outside oppression unlike their counterparts who sojourned to Olivar. (Butler 204).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From the novel, the author tries to point out the theme of Self-reliance. For instance, even when Laurent is young of age (at the age of fifteen years) she already has the knowledge of the state of her community-that it is doomed and that no one is ready to deliver it from the turmoil. This encourages her to live a self-reliant life and not to depend on any external authority to help her such as the police who are very corrupt-the rule of law in the community has broken down. This also encourages her to read everything that would help her know how to continue to exist when the time is ripe for her to leave Robledo (her community). For example, she learns how to use guns and how to handle medical emergencies. Once they start sojourning, Laurent and her group survive because of attentive and using their resources in a more wise way. After reaching the land where they intend to build their first Earthseed community, they still require to be s elf-reliant. Since there are no careers in this new area where they build their first Earthseed community, they have to nearly start from scratch and upkeep themselves by what they can cultivate and sell. Self-reliance therefore becomes a basic principle of the Earthseed religion. According to this religion which was founded by Laurent, it is imprudent for people to foolishly wait upon God to come and help them –they have to toil so as to bring food onto their table. It is their obligation to mold their own destiny based on their personal efforts. (ch. 11).According to Butler (158), the novel also shows the collapse of community and the steady reconstructing of another one. Societal orders are almost broken in Robledo in 2024 and the only places where community seems to exist is within the walled areas in which the middle class and the rich people live a normal live. Though the people in the walled areas where the middle class live do not like one another, they take the respo nsibility to defend their neighborhood. This community is doomed and at the end when it is invaded; there is nothing left but pandemonium and anarchy. In this chaotic world, Laurent and her community must learn the links of affection and trustworthiness that bring bond people in unison. In Laurent’s new community, there is sense of community-hood, togetherness and loyalty to the ideals of the society. For example, after Jill Gilchrist is killed, Lauren consoles and comforts Jill’s sister, Allie (Ch. 24). This is advancement on the process of forming the Earthseed community of people that share common values and value one another. (Butler 182).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The novel also reveals a poor religion which Laurent is against. According to the Baptist religion where Laurent’s father is a minister, they foolishly depend on God. They believe that their God can do everything for them and therefore there is no need for struggle. This kind of religion has contributed to the increased levels of poverty in the community. This is why Laurent challenges her father’s faith. She completely rejects his father’s religion and instead creates her own-Earthseed which exclusively believes in toiling for one’s survival instead of foolishly waiting upon God. (ch. 7).Contrary to Laurent’s success after challenging her father’s religion, Keith-Laurent’s young brother after challenging his father religion chooses a detrimental course which ends in his demise. He struggles to be independent by running from his father’s religion but this independence costs him his li fe (ch. 9).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to Margalit (6), Even though America is still in presumption democracy, there is no one in Laurent’s family and neighborhood that is ready to vote except her father. Basic goods are scarce and high-priced. Outside the enclosed neighborhoods, there is anarchy. People have entered in all types of depression. For example, drug addiction and disease is rampant, corpses lie all over the streets and many people are starving and homeless. The federal government keeps talking about alleviating the situation, but it is basically immaterial to most people’s lives. The police have worsened the situation also as they charge a fee before investigating a crime. References Octavia E. Butler. Parable of the Sower. United States: Four Walls Eight Windows press, 1993.Print. Fox, Margalit. â€Å"Octavia E. Butler, Science Fiction Writer, Dies at 58†³ journal of science fiction, (2003). Source document

Essay about evilmac Comparing the Evil of Macbeth and...

Comparing the Evil of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth â€Å"At the heart of William Shakespeares Macbeth is an examination of the nature of evil and its many faces and facets†(Cathell 119). The principal evil characters in the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, are both evil, but the manifestation of evil is different in each. Macbeths evil is a dynamic character trait. He begins the play as a celebrated hero, loyal to his friends and dedicated to his king. He is strong and noble, a man to be admired by his audience. Macbeth and Banquo are visited by the three witches, who promise him that he will be king. This veiled intimation ignites a secret ambition within Macbeth. Evil has dawned within him, but at this early stage of his†¦show more content†¦She longs to be even more evil, and tries to commune with unseen spirits to help her. She says, Come, you spirits/ That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here./ And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full/ Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood;/ Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature/ Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between/ The effect and it! come to my womans breasts,/ And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers,/ Whatever in your sightless substances/ You wait on natures mischief! Come think night,/ And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,/ That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,/ Nor Heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,/ To cry Hold, hold! (Shakespeare I, v, 36) For all the sound and fury, Lady Macbeths evil signifies nothing. She has no goal that requires such sinister behaviour. When she learns of the witches promise, Duncan is nothing to her but a suitable victim. Her true goal is not to gain the throne. Her motive is only to increase her personal perception of her power. It is interesting to note the importance of gender in the personifications of evil in Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is as obsessed with her gender as her evil. When she implores evil to unsex her, to take her womans breasts for gall she reveals the sense of powerlessness and weakness she feels. Being a woman makes her dependant on her husband for her social

Cultural Anthropology A Perspective On The Human Condition

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The next term used to acquaint a new culture is called cultural relativism, which has multiple variations, but in â€Å"Cultural Anthropology: A Perspe ctive on The Human Condition† they define this term as someone relating their own culture to another culture that they are not familiar with. Also main goal of cultural relativism is to promote an understanding of seemingly odd cultural practices that rang in morality from bug eating to genocide. (Shchultz and Lavenda:2013 31) Also keep in mind this ideology is meant to be in a neutral stand among these different cultures despite the observers own moral concepts. An example that could be given is femaleShow MoreRelatedThe Twentieth Century : Cannibals And Kings ( 1977 ) By Marvin Harris And Coming Of Age1297 Words   |  6 Pagespioneering in their contribution to anthropology, and both have also been widely criticized. 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