The Black Jacobins had been on my ‘to read list’ for a long time. So many activists and creatives I admire have spoken of how the book helped educate them on black history – Akala, Alex Wheatle and Noname amongst many others – invigorating them to use their skills to encourage others to fight The Man. FINALLY I’ve had the chance to read James’ masterpiece on the Haitian revolution, and there’s definitely a lot to take in following this history of complex political alliances and betrayals, wars and uprisings, that all orbit the extraordinary insight and manoeuvres of the man at the centre of the storm: Toussaint L’Ouverture.
Living within a celebrity obsessed culture always seeking to make exceptional individuals, I will admit to being sceptical as to how far L’Ouverture really was a lone man on a mission as opposed to one drop in an ocean of many. Of course, he was not alone in building one of the greatest armies the Caribbean (or arguably the whole world) has ever seen. Dessalines, Christophe, Moïse and Capois Death among others all contribute at various stages. I was a little surprised to discover that in fact L’Ouverture was not one of the original leaders of the first revolts in 1791. In fact, he spent the first month defending the plantation of the white colonists where he lived and even helped the wife and brother of the owner to escape. In my opinion, it was partly his overly forgiving and patient dealings with the white colonists that contributed to further bloodshed, as they really did take the piss in their side-switching and opportunistic fidelities- but I am no expert on political tactics or military warfare.
Nevertheless, the portrait of Toussaint conjured by James is one of ambiguity, and yet undeniable fortitude. Unlike mass media/ white historical portrayals of the revolution, Toussaint L’Ouverture did not hate all white people nor did he gleefully induce mass murder. He was a very insightful man who knew he could not get the freedom he desired with his people without some kind of foothold and bargaining leverage among sympathetic whites holding power in the colony. To add to this fraught mix there was also the population of mixed-race people with unstable yet influential allegiances shifting between France’s authority and the revolutionary masses of San Domingo (now Haiti). The monied upper classes of mixed-race people wanted to be equal to whites politically and to retain the economic advances they had made via the ownership of slaves. At first, the majority of mixed-race people were definitely against the revolution.
What emerges as this 12-year uprising unfolds is that nothing, no allegiances or tactics, remain fixed. The treachery and ugly power of European nations trying to defame and meddle with L’Ouvertures efforts is what emerges as the one constant. The French proclaim freedom for all in France, but retain slavery for their colonial subjects. The English shout about abolition whilst simultaneously attacking San Domingo in order to try and capture the transatlantic trade for themselves. The newly founded America tried to gain clout in supporting the revolt to get trade when the new nation was established… I cannot possibly try and condense the entire narrative of the book here, it’s simply too complex and nuanced.
What’s also interesting is how the distance between Europe and the Caribbean affected manoeuvres; as the delay of news meant many a game of Telephone was played in relation to how the masses regarded France. Many were unsure of whether the French wanted to re-enslave them, or whether it was actually Toussaint conspiring with Britain against the perceived liberty of France. Ultimately it was this disconnect of Toussaint’s foresight and intellect from the armies he commanded that was his downfall. As he didn’t feel comfortable letting plans be known for fears of interference and foul play, it meant a lot was left to the imagination in the minds of ordinary people. They would fight for him once he was kidnapped from San Domingo and imprisoned in France to die, making him a martyr. But it’s just heart breaking that he sacrificed so much, not even being able to realize the fruits of his labours. The temperance of Toussaint was followed by the rage of Dessalines; it was Dessalines who led the people to found their own nation, and who carried out massacres after the proclamation of independence.
BUT EVEN THEN- IT WAS NOT DESSALINES’ INTENTION OR IDEA TO MASSACRE COLONISTS!!! GUESS WHAT?!? THE BRITISH AND AMERICANS INSTRUCTED HIM TO! This part of the story was the most disgusting to me, out of all the fuckery. How Haiti has been disregarded as ‘third world’ and the Vodou religion mocked in modern media, when in actuality it was the greed and barbarity of ‘enlightened’ Europeans who wanted the French colonists murdered. They wanted their fellow whites to be massacred to ensure the newly founded Haiti could not return to the French for military assistance or otherwise. ITS FUCKING EVIL, and it’s something I never would have known without James’ book. An omission orchestrated by British governments that’s a very spiteful and slimy thing indeed.
If you want to read this book, prepare for a lot of pausing and page dog-earing. I will not lie: the book is complicated and replete with many posh or French names that all sound familiar. Much googling will be involved just to check that you are following along correctly (for too long I thought it was Louis XIV who had his head cut off that started the revolution in France… it’s actually Louis XVI! Numerals are TOO MUCH) but it is worth it. Amongst all the treachery and bloodshed, one cannot help feel for Toussaint as he tries to temper and fortify the justified anger of his people wanting retribution in the direction of independence, against the mingled crowd of whites: some of whom hated him with every fibre of their beings for ruining their profits, others who genuinely wanted him to succeed and bring peace to the land. Fishing out the gold from the shit would prove to be too dangerous an affair, the frustrating, tragic part being that Toussaint could never possibly win alone, trying to hide his plans from his people, against so many divergent forces conspiring against his efforts.
I’m sorry this ‘review’ (not sure what to call this) is a bit of an unorganized ramble. But if any clear point can be gleaned from what I’m trying to say it’s this: READ THE BLACK JACOBINS!!! It definitely will help if you’re a bit clued up on the French revolution before beginning as the two revolutions are heavily interconnected, but even if you don’t know much, remember: google exists! The Black Jacobins is a book that does justice to one of the most violent periods in colonial history, and one that will make clear how nothing is set in stone when it comes to revolutionary change. Your accomplices, ideologies, tactics and destinations must be flexible and forgiving in order to survive. Reading Toussaint’s induction into military, political and revolutionary leadership is a tale with much to teach.
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