Grenadye Alaso!:A Haiti TL
- Thread starter Marcus Licinius Crassus
- Start date
Beginning of the End
Beginning of the End
In the late summer of 1827, the war was no longer a stalemate. After a rash of victories from early this year optimism was high in the Haitian high command. Guerrier saw that his plan was finally working. In the end, attrition was wearing down French forces to near collapse. However, they still were not out. Guerrier couldn’t afford to lose the capital of Marchand Dessalines to French forces. Because if it did France would get new initiative. The war in Europe against revolutionary Europe was not working. And Russia was making gains in the east and against the Ottoman empire. Perrin made plans to assault Marchand Dessalines. The biggest problem was that Ouidnot’s forces were bogged down in trying to take down the fortress behemoth Citadelle Laferriere. Rousseau was fighting back a massive insurgency in Nord Ouest. And Nord Est the garrison there were suffering poorly from yellow fever. Perrin was also worried about his rear. Herard and Accau were advancing the South after their smashing victory over Monmouth’s men. They know were moving up North to challenge Perrin. And in the Spanish East Soulouque’s summer offensive was a success. Santiago was no surrounded and the French position in the East was all but gone. Perrin at this time was trying to figure out what would be his next move. He wrote to Paris for manpower. When word was that France withdrew from the war with Russia he had hope that meant more manpower available. However French losses in the war were heavy and unrest was spreading all over France. Perrin wrote a letter to Charles X that if he withdrew his forces that they would come and aid the security situation in France. However, by August 1827, the unrest burned out somewhat. The reinforcement was able to put down most of the unrest for now. Charles X knew France was in dire financial straits so he figured the solution was to retake all of Hispaniola. The island used to enrich France. He saw the war in Haiti as a war with great importance and a historical wrong that had to be right. Although he was giving Perrin an impossible job. With no manpower, Perrin was stuck. He wrote in his autobiography “Hell in Paradise,” that it was like “giving an engineer 20 francs to do a 2,000 franc job.” It was at this time Perrin came to the realization that even if he captured Marchand Dessalines he would still have to deal with waves of Haitian fighters. So he with General Rosseau made a plan to merge their forces. Then march south to face the massive Haitian force in the south to blunt their advancement. Then when they were defeated march North to besiege and capture Marchand Dessalines. Once captures March North to aid General Oudinot to pacify the North. Then head south again to finish off the blunted force then march east to end the war. It sounded good on paper but in practice would be very difficult. Rousseau at that time had 20,000 men from the [maugu1] 40,000. Perrin had 44,000 men. So the combined 64,000 force marched south. They met the Heard and Accau force of 70,000 men in the outskirts of the town of Verretes on October 19th, 1827. It was a bloody 3-day battle. The battle ended with a close French victory. As typical of French victories in Haiti it was a Phyrhicc on. French Losses were 2000 dead with 5000 wounded. Haitian losses were heavy as well. 3000 dead with 4000 wounded. Perrin got what he wanted which was to blunt the southern advancement which protected his rear for now. He then started drawing up plans for the assault into Marchand Dessalines. However, General Rosseau got ill from yellow fever in early November. Perrin wanted to take capital before the end of the year however it looked it was not going to happen. A major hurricane struck on November 8th which devastated central Haiti. Cities of St Marc, Archaie, Grande Saline, Gonaives were affected. The mass flooding added more misery to French forces. It was reported they lose 800 men to the hurricane. And with the heavy rain meant mosquitos which meant more yellow fever to spread. One officer bitterly wrote, “Even God has abandoned us in this wretched place.” The hurricane damage really hampered French war efforts and Haitian one for the rest of the year. Guerrier wrote to his officers that “This is the start of their ending. We are close to victory. Verrettes was the last gasp for them. We must make preparations to end this war next year. They cannot last one more year. With Europe on fire, France cannot afford to send more troops to fight us. The next year 1828 is the year of being bold and decisive.” 1827 ended the way it began a bloody stalemate. However French forces on the island were reaching a breaking point.
1828
Start of the ending- The year 1828 began with Perrin and his men recovering from the powerful hurricane that struck on November 8th of 1827. Luckily for the French, their ammunition was intact. They lost 800 men which were devastating to an army suffering from attrition. Perrin and Rosseau both agreed that taking the capital was an important event. Maybe when Charles X of France sees this major victory he will send more troops. So through the lull of fighting Perrin poured over maps of the terrain of the city. He was obsessed with victory. He wrote in his book that “I wasn’t obsessed that we would win. No I gave that up years ago. Instead, I was obsessed that a victory would give us an out in case the whole thing collapsed.”
In the east the situation was deplorable. Santiago the city was under siege. General Bourdesoulle was not going to surrender until he knew the fate of those who did. Also, he knew he would be executed if he returned to France defeated. Solouque wanted to end the French presence in the east to march west and link up with Guerrier to finish off the French. The first battle of Santiago took place on January 11th, 1828. French resistance was very stiff. The city of Santiago was the only place where French forces found loyal domestic forces. The citizens of Santiago were not to keen on being under the control of black forces and rejected the Hinche Compact. So in the city where 13,500 French soldiers with 3000 pro-French soldiers. The first day of fighting Haitian forces under the command of Solouque attacked the eastern wall of the city. They broke through however faced stiff French resistance and made no progress into the city. Haitian forces had to retreat after suffering 500 casualties. French casualties were 400. The Haitian forces were 30,000. Solouque then the next day focused on attacking all walls of the city. So Haitian forces on January 17th launched the next attack and assaulted every side of the city. This strategy at first was successful. Haitian forces stormed the walls and overwhelmed. Haitian forces controlled half the city by nightfall. However, the French night counterattack proved too devastating. By the morning all the gains Haitian forces had were wiped out and they were forced to retreat. Losses on the second day were bloody for both sides. Haitian casualties were 1,200. While French casualties were 1,300. Solouque was frustrated about this and wanted to take the city badly. In the end, he decided that he would besiege the city. Wait until artillery comes and bombard the city into submission. Haitian artillery came from surrounding cities and forts. Solouqu did not have artillery with him as it would slow down his movement. Solouque said to his officers “Fine let them have the city. We will simply besiege it and let disease, hunger, and rot finish them. “ This cruel tactic was employed by Solouque and led to the city to be besieged for the next 3 months. The situation in Santiago would deteriorate as hunger disease would ravage the city.
Next steps: After the victory of Verretes, Rousseau and Perrin merged their forced to figure out a plan to take Marchand Dessalines. Their combined force was 27,000 men. Oudinot was in Limbe planning his next move. All of the Nord Ouest was under Haitian control after the devastating battle of Chansolme led by General Pierrot. Oudinot was worried about Pierrot and decided to march and engage in the Nord Ouest. However, he didn’t know what was brewing across the border. In the Nord the Citadelle Laferriere was a major obstacle. Auguste Brouad who was with Solouqu in the Spanish east was given order by Soloque to reinforce the Haitian forces in Nord Est under Riche. Riche left command of the Citadelle in the hands of a young capable mullattoFabre Gefferad. Riche’s forces were growing in the Nord Est. By 1828 he had a force of 25,000 men. Brouard force of 15000 men met and merged with them at Ounaminth in early February 1828. The combined force of 30,000 men was now on the march to engage Oudinot who was marching west to engage Pierrot forces of 18,000. Oudinot had about 19,000 men. However, he was falling into a trap planned by Guerrier. The plan was that Brouad, Pierrot, and Riche would encircle and destroy Oudinot forces there in the North. Brouard then with 35,000 men marched to the Nord Est. They reached Ouanminthe on February 3rd, 1828. Guerrier knew that by destroying the French presence in the North it would free up thousands of fighters for the defense of Marchand Dessalines. In the South Herard and Accau were recovering from the loss of the battle of Verretes. However, they recovered and made the march North. The combined army of black and mulatto made Archaie their base. From the last battle, Accau and Herard were recruiting and training fresh soldiers for the winter offensive. And they were recovering from the defeat faster than Perrin expected. By mid-February, the Army of the South was fully recovered and with 30,000 men were marching North to Grand Saline to crush Perrin’s forces and end the war.
The battle of Ennery.
"Ennery in French military history is one of the greatest disasters. The French Teutoburg Forest. It symbolized the French expeditionary failure to control the island. Waste of manpower and waste of treasure"
British Historian Luke Livington.
Oudinot was chasing after Pierrot throughout all of March. He wanted to deal a fatal blow to the Haitians but little did he knew what was happening. On the night of March 27th 1828 Ouidont’s men were crossing over the forest near the town of Ennery. They received word that Pierrot was in the town. A night surprise attack to destroy Pierrot was an opportunity he could not pass up. As they marched into the night they came under ambush by Riche’s forces. The confusion was worsened by darkness and the sound of gunfire. Then more gunfire ensued. The French forces stumbled on a ambush. The next thing that happened was Brouard’s forces with Pierrot charged at French position on the front and rear. Then Riches forces charged on the left flank and the French found themselves encircled. The battle was a bloody contest and lasted until sunrise. After fighting the whole night French forces were exhausted. Ouidonot was killed in the ambush with a gunshot wound on the throat and chest. The northern French army was destroyed. French losses were 8000 while Haitian losses were 10,000. The remaining French soldiers simply surrendered and were imprisoned. Now this move freed up thousands of Haitian soldiers. The French presence in Haiti was near extermination. News of the battle reached Rosseau and Perrin. Shock and panic spread amongst the ranks of the remaining French army. Perrin wrote in in his biography “After Ennery it was over. There was no solution only annihilation. The French army in Santo Domingo and Nord Hayti was destroyed all we had 27,000 men but half were fit to fight. I was not going to sacrifice my men into a meaningless conflict for a coward glory seeking King.” Perrin after much deliberation with his officers decided to surrender their forces. What Perrin was doing was intriguing he was openly disobeying orders from the French throne. Perrin wrote a letter to Guerrier that French forces were to surrender and for there to be a meeting to discuss peace talks. The two generals met on April 5th 1828. The two were impressed of each other and had a lot of respect of each other. The main terms that were discussed was how the war was going to end. Guerrier had the leverage since his forces surrounded the French forces in all areas of the island. So in two days a peace was agreed upon. The Peace of Marchand of Dessalines was the unofficial treaty signed by both sides. It would be official in 1832.The agreement was:
Total withdrawal of French forces from the Island
All French guns and ammunition were to be handed over to Haitian forces.
Agreement that French forces will never return
In return, French forces will have safe passage to St Martinique
Also, all French prisoners will be released as will Haitian prisoners.
In short, the war was over. Haiti was yet again victorious against a European power. However, this was far more brutal and devastating than the last one. And had far more reaching impacts on Haitian society. The Island was unified through a crucible of fire that spread on every part of the Island. Everyone had sacrificed whether they were from Jacmel, Cap Haitian or Santiago. The war shaped the idea of Haiti was one people one island if you spoke Spanish or French whether you was mulatto or black. The war was won but the biggest problem was whether the peace could remain. After the last withdrawal of French forces, Guerrier said as he watched them taking the boats “Winning the war was easy however to govern will be more difficult.” And it would be a difficult time to rebuild Haiti.
In the late summer of 1827, the war was no longer a stalemate. After a rash of victories from early this year optimism was high in the Haitian high command. Guerrier saw that his plan was finally working. In the end, attrition was wearing down French forces to near collapse. However, they still were not out. Guerrier couldn’t afford to lose the capital of Marchand Dessalines to French forces. Because if it did France would get new initiative. The war in Europe against revolutionary Europe was not working. And Russia was making gains in the east and against the Ottoman empire. Perrin made plans to assault Marchand Dessalines. The biggest problem was that Ouidnot’s forces were bogged down in trying to take down the fortress behemoth Citadelle Laferriere. Rousseau was fighting back a massive insurgency in Nord Ouest. And Nord Est the garrison there were suffering poorly from yellow fever. Perrin was also worried about his rear. Herard and Accau were advancing the South after their smashing victory over Monmouth’s men. They know were moving up North to challenge Perrin. And in the Spanish East Soulouque’s summer offensive was a success. Santiago was no surrounded and the French position in the East was all but gone. Perrin at this time was trying to figure out what would be his next move. He wrote to Paris for manpower. When word was that France withdrew from the war with Russia he had hope that meant more manpower available. However French losses in the war were heavy and unrest was spreading all over France. Perrin wrote a letter to Charles X that if he withdrew his forces that they would come and aid the security situation in France. However, by August 1827, the unrest burned out somewhat. The reinforcement was able to put down most of the unrest for now. Charles X knew France was in dire financial straits so he figured the solution was to retake all of Hispaniola. The island used to enrich France. He saw the war in Haiti as a war with great importance and a historical wrong that had to be right. Although he was giving Perrin an impossible job. With no manpower, Perrin was stuck. He wrote in his autobiography “Hell in Paradise,” that it was like “giving an engineer 20 francs to do a 2,000 franc job.” It was at this time Perrin came to the realization that even if he captured Marchand Dessalines he would still have to deal with waves of Haitian fighters. So he with General Rosseau made a plan to merge their forces. Then march south to face the massive Haitian force in the south to blunt their advancement. Then when they were defeated march North to besiege and capture Marchand Dessalines. Once captures March North to aid General Oudinot to pacify the North. Then head south again to finish off the blunted force then march east to end the war. It sounded good on paper but in practice would be very difficult. Rousseau at that time had 20,000 men from the [maugu1] 40,000. Perrin had 44,000 men. So the combined 64,000 force marched south. They met the Heard and Accau force of 70,000 men in the outskirts of the town of Verretes on October 19th, 1827. It was a bloody 3-day battle. The battle ended with a close French victory. As typical of French victories in Haiti it was a Phyrhicc on. French Losses were 2000 dead with 5000 wounded. Haitian losses were heavy as well. 3000 dead with 4000 wounded. Perrin got what he wanted which was to blunt the southern advancement which protected his rear for now. He then started drawing up plans for the assault into Marchand Dessalines. However, General Rosseau got ill from yellow fever in early November. Perrin wanted to take capital before the end of the year however it looked it was not going to happen. A major hurricane struck on November 8th which devastated central Haiti. Cities of St Marc, Archaie, Grande Saline, Gonaives were affected. The mass flooding added more misery to French forces. It was reported they lose 800 men to the hurricane. And with the heavy rain meant mosquitos which meant more yellow fever to spread. One officer bitterly wrote, “Even God has abandoned us in this wretched place.” The hurricane damage really hampered French war efforts and Haitian one for the rest of the year. Guerrier wrote to his officers that “This is the start of their ending. We are close to victory. Verrettes was the last gasp for them. We must make preparations to end this war next year. They cannot last one more year. With Europe on fire, France cannot afford to send more troops to fight us. The next year 1828 is the year of being bold and decisive.” 1827 ended the way it began a bloody stalemate. However French forces on the island were reaching a breaking point.
1828
Start of the ending- The year 1828 began with Perrin and his men recovering from the powerful hurricane that struck on November 8th of 1827. Luckily for the French, their ammunition was intact. They lost 800 men which were devastating to an army suffering from attrition. Perrin and Rosseau both agreed that taking the capital was an important event. Maybe when Charles X of France sees this major victory he will send more troops. So through the lull of fighting Perrin poured over maps of the terrain of the city. He was obsessed with victory. He wrote in his book that “I wasn’t obsessed that we would win. No I gave that up years ago. Instead, I was obsessed that a victory would give us an out in case the whole thing collapsed.”
In the east the situation was deplorable. Santiago the city was under siege. General Bourdesoulle was not going to surrender until he knew the fate of those who did. Also, he knew he would be executed if he returned to France defeated. Solouque wanted to end the French presence in the east to march west and link up with Guerrier to finish off the French. The first battle of Santiago took place on January 11th, 1828. French resistance was very stiff. The city of Santiago was the only place where French forces found loyal domestic forces. The citizens of Santiago were not to keen on being under the control of black forces and rejected the Hinche Compact. So in the city where 13,500 French soldiers with 3000 pro-French soldiers. The first day of fighting Haitian forces under the command of Solouque attacked the eastern wall of the city. They broke through however faced stiff French resistance and made no progress into the city. Haitian forces had to retreat after suffering 500 casualties. French casualties were 400. The Haitian forces were 30,000. Solouque then the next day focused on attacking all walls of the city. So Haitian forces on January 17th launched the next attack and assaulted every side of the city. This strategy at first was successful. Haitian forces stormed the walls and overwhelmed. Haitian forces controlled half the city by nightfall. However, the French night counterattack proved too devastating. By the morning all the gains Haitian forces had were wiped out and they were forced to retreat. Losses on the second day were bloody for both sides. Haitian casualties were 1,200. While French casualties were 1,300. Solouque was frustrated about this and wanted to take the city badly. In the end, he decided that he would besiege the city. Wait until artillery comes and bombard the city into submission. Haitian artillery came from surrounding cities and forts. Solouqu did not have artillery with him as it would slow down his movement. Solouque said to his officers “Fine let them have the city. We will simply besiege it and let disease, hunger, and rot finish them. “ This cruel tactic was employed by Solouque and led to the city to be besieged for the next 3 months. The situation in Santiago would deteriorate as hunger disease would ravage the city.
Next steps: After the victory of Verretes, Rousseau and Perrin merged their forced to figure out a plan to take Marchand Dessalines. Their combined force was 27,000 men. Oudinot was in Limbe planning his next move. All of the Nord Ouest was under Haitian control after the devastating battle of Chansolme led by General Pierrot. Oudinot was worried about Pierrot and decided to march and engage in the Nord Ouest. However, he didn’t know what was brewing across the border. In the Nord the Citadelle Laferriere was a major obstacle. Auguste Brouad who was with Solouqu in the Spanish east was given order by Soloque to reinforce the Haitian forces in Nord Est under Riche. Riche left command of the Citadelle in the hands of a young capable mullattoFabre Gefferad. Riche’s forces were growing in the Nord Est. By 1828 he had a force of 25,000 men. Brouard force of 15000 men met and merged with them at Ounaminth in early February 1828. The combined force of 30,000 men was now on the march to engage Oudinot who was marching west to engage Pierrot forces of 18,000. Oudinot had about 19,000 men. However, he was falling into a trap planned by Guerrier. The plan was that Brouad, Pierrot, and Riche would encircle and destroy Oudinot forces there in the North. Brouard then with 35,000 men marched to the Nord Est. They reached Ouanminthe on February 3rd, 1828. Guerrier knew that by destroying the French presence in the North it would free up thousands of fighters for the defense of Marchand Dessalines. In the South Herard and Accau were recovering from the loss of the battle of Verretes. However, they recovered and made the march North. The combined army of black and mulatto made Archaie their base. From the last battle, Accau and Herard were recruiting and training fresh soldiers for the winter offensive. And they were recovering from the defeat faster than Perrin expected. By mid-February, the Army of the South was fully recovered and with 30,000 men were marching North to Grand Saline to crush Perrin’s forces and end the war.
The battle of Ennery.
"Ennery in French military history is one of the greatest disasters. The French Teutoburg Forest. It symbolized the French expeditionary failure to control the island. Waste of manpower and waste of treasure"
British Historian Luke Livington.
Oudinot was chasing after Pierrot throughout all of March. He wanted to deal a fatal blow to the Haitians but little did he knew what was happening. On the night of March 27th 1828 Ouidont’s men were crossing over the forest near the town of Ennery. They received word that Pierrot was in the town. A night surprise attack to destroy Pierrot was an opportunity he could not pass up. As they marched into the night they came under ambush by Riche’s forces. The confusion was worsened by darkness and the sound of gunfire. Then more gunfire ensued. The French forces stumbled on a ambush. The next thing that happened was Brouard’s forces with Pierrot charged at French position on the front and rear. Then Riches forces charged on the left flank and the French found themselves encircled. The battle was a bloody contest and lasted until sunrise. After fighting the whole night French forces were exhausted. Ouidonot was killed in the ambush with a gunshot wound on the throat and chest. The northern French army was destroyed. French losses were 8000 while Haitian losses were 10,000. The remaining French soldiers simply surrendered and were imprisoned. Now this move freed up thousands of Haitian soldiers. The French presence in Haiti was near extermination. News of the battle reached Rosseau and Perrin. Shock and panic spread amongst the ranks of the remaining French army. Perrin wrote in in his biography “After Ennery it was over. There was no solution only annihilation. The French army in Santo Domingo and Nord Hayti was destroyed all we had 27,000 men but half were fit to fight. I was not going to sacrifice my men into a meaningless conflict for a coward glory seeking King.” Perrin after much deliberation with his officers decided to surrender their forces. What Perrin was doing was intriguing he was openly disobeying orders from the French throne. Perrin wrote a letter to Guerrier that French forces were to surrender and for there to be a meeting to discuss peace talks. The two generals met on April 5th 1828. The two were impressed of each other and had a lot of respect of each other. The main terms that were discussed was how the war was going to end. Guerrier had the leverage since his forces surrounded the French forces in all areas of the island. So in two days a peace was agreed upon. The Peace of Marchand of Dessalines was the unofficial treaty signed by both sides. It would be official in 1832.The agreement was:
Total withdrawal of French forces from the Island
All French guns and ammunition were to be handed over to Haitian forces.
Agreement that French forces will never return
In return, French forces will have safe passage to St Martinique
Also, all French prisoners will be released as will Haitian prisoners.
In short, the war was over. Haiti was yet again victorious against a European power. However, this was far more brutal and devastating than the last one. And had far more reaching impacts on Haitian society. The Island was unified through a crucible of fire that spread on every part of the Island. Everyone had sacrificed whether they were from Jacmel, Cap Haitian or Santiago. The war shaped the idea of Haiti was one people one island if you spoke Spanish or French whether you was mulatto or black. The war was won but the biggest problem was whether the peace could remain. After the last withdrawal of French forces, Guerrier said as he watched them taking the boats “Winning the war was easy however to govern will be more difficult.” And it would be a difficult time to rebuild Haiti.
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Well the Haitian-French War is over and now begins the interesting events of what post war Haiti will look like. The next update will be about some of the post war years of Haiti and post war Europe along with the revolutions coming to France and the Iberian Penninsula.Comments, critiques are all welcomed.
I fixed the thread mark feature so it will be easier to maneuver around to avoid going from page to page. As I said before the next update will be on post war Haiti the next five years. So 1828-1833.
Not only France but also any future European power. This also give Haiti the reputation of a nation that cannot be conquered easily and not worth it to try to invade.
Cuāuhtemōc
Banned
Might serve as an inspiration for non-European nations as a model, in terms of their asymmetric style of warfare.
Well Haiti's geography is what makes their assymetrical warfare so effective. Heavily mountainous with plenty of jungles which in the spring and summer make unbearable conditions for an invading army. Not to mention yellow fever to wear down invaders. And also the size of the entire island makes it very hard to control. Hispanola is about the same size as Bulgaria. And not to mention a highly motivated populace who fear being enslaved again. I could see African armies try to implement this style of warfare. Haiti in ITTL will be anti colonialistic and may send advisors if it is more stable than OTL.
Well it all depends how Guerrier rules Haiti. The Hinche Compact will temper seperatist feelings in the Spanish East.
The biggest problem is that voting rights will be given to the Mulatto landowning elites. Not the illiterate black majority. This was the biggest reasons why mulattos wanted a representative government. If you read' Petion's constitution it read like a liberal constitution. Guerrier is likely to do away with Petion's mulatto power politics. It will be a combination of Spanish speaking involvement in the new style government. There will be alot of power sharing. And there will still be internal problems but they will be beaten down by Guerrier's new system.
Which, after this war, well, the majority need to be compensated for in some way. Yes, they can't vote, but that needs compensation, less they start getting angry.
Post War Years During the Guerrier Regime.
Postwar years during the Guerrier Regime 1828-1845
Part 1
After the last French soldiers left Haiti, Guerrier now had the rule the entire island as a peacetime leader, not a wartime -president. The entire island of Hispaniola was ravaged by the war. Lots of dead and lots of infrastructure destroyed. For Guerrier, the number one problem to be fixed was the economy. He said in his writings “How will a government be able to protect its citizenry if they have no money to pay the soldiers who risk their lives?” Guerrier had many plans, but he wanted the political power and will to do so. So, on May 15, 1828, he organized a meeting with all the generals and set up a new constitution and government that rules Haiti to even to this day. Guerrier wanted the military to rule the nation and diminish the control of wealthy landowners and the mulatto class. He unified the various factions of the military to one by economic benefits and ideology. In the economic front, plenty of lands were destroyed and abandoned. Those vast swaths of land were given to officers and generals. This was to counteract the influence of wealthy landowners. The new constitution consisted of a new style of government. Guerrier served under Toussaint, Dessalines and Christophe. He saw what worked and what did not work. Guerrier or Guerrism was the belief that a strong handled by the military was to lead the nation. He also wanted to end factionalism in the military. That is to prevent future civil war. So he designed a system that later historians would call “Total militarism.”
There were three branches of government. The constitution was written to give power to the military. The president was given a 6-year term. And can run for president as many times as he wants. Term limits were banned. However, for the legislative branch, it unimercal. The Central Assembly as it was called was weakened heavily. Assemblymen had 2-year terms. Laws they passed could be vetoed and in order to overturn the veto, they had to have every provincial general governor (selected by the president) to sign the law. Guerrier believed that a strong leader was needed to lead. And that meant a general and a man who can rule with an iron fist.
According to the Constitution, the president must be a high ranking general. Elections are held every 6 years. He had the authority to select general governors who also had to be generals. These generals with the president would meet every 3 months to discuss policy. These general governors also had 6-year terms. There were checks in power of course. For example, there is an article in the constitution that gave only one justification for coup d’etat. That was that if a president lost an election and refused to transfer power to the new leader the high ranking general and council of generals would overthrow him forcefully and that he would be stand trial. The Constitution all said coups outside that are illegal and uprisings are illegal and would be faced with harsh punishment. The president had the power to declare war, raise and command the army as the command in chief. He could introduce laws to the Assembly. If the Assembly overrule the law he would have his cabinet and the general governors vote and that overrule the Assembly. If the president dies suddenly the vice president succeeds him. The Assembly was created to give a semblance of a democracy to the liberal elements of Haitian society(notably the mulatto elites). However true power went through the military.
Each province had a governor who a general that was picked by the president. Government positions were filled by military men. From the top down the military ran the country. Guerrier wanted it to be that way. He felt that the military was the glue that holds Haitian society together. And he had a mandate because the war against France proved that Haiti’s existence was still under threat. If it was not the French today it would be someone else. The rise of the Mexican empire would increase those fears and give the military leeway to take more power. This had allowed the military junta rule Haiti for the next 130 years. Guerrier then went on to reform the economy. He was advised to start the corvee system like Christophe did however that was unlikely. Especially with a populace who was told that they had to fight the French to end slavery. Instead, he came up with a plan that was given to him by a mulatto officer who would later be Haiti’s economic minister for the next 30 year Jean Luc Rise. That was to encourage the small landholder class to grow cash crops. To do so was to tell the small landholders that they will receive a percentage of profits when the government sold them. The government took 70% of the profits while the small landholder took 30%. Also, officers that own large plantations had to pay their workers 10% of their profits while paying 30% in taxes. To increase production the government allowed landowners(mostly military) to buy vast plots of empty land. This allowed for these officers to hire workers. So in a sense, this allowed the corvee system to thrive. However, Guerrier wanted to make sure workers were properly compensated and treated well. He passed the “Worker Codes.” It was a system of laws protected their rights. For example, beatings was outlawed. Workers were allowed to work five days a week. They were to be paid 10% of profits and have a small plot of land for themselves to cultivate food to consume or sell. The Haitian military officers became increasingly wealthy from Guerrier’s land reforms. The new landowning class was now the military.
Haiti did a lot of underhand trading with Great Britain and Gran Colombia. They also did indirect trading with countries in Europe and the US. How this worked was Haitian investors (led of course by Haitian military officers) owned warehouses in the various ports in Gran Colombia where goods were transferred to Colombian ships and laundered with Colombian bills lading to Europe and the United State. This allowed Haitian products to be sold as Colombian. However, the money went to Haitian investors. These investors would then pay a tax to Gran Colombia and the govt of Haiti. This lucrative system was called in Haitian slang “Bon Gou” (good taste). This allowed Haitian cash crops to be sold in the world market.
Within two years of these policies passing the Haitian treasury grew. Guerrier then had the funds to implement his plans. Guerrier was very militaristic. He viewed that Haiti’s national integrity had to be protected from foreign invasions. Guerrier ordered military service to be mandatory. Once reaching the age of 16 were conscripted to the National Militia. The National militia is similar to the National Guard. After two years of service the men were then allowed to join the Army. If they decide not to join then they were to part of the national militia until they were 50. The National militia was also a domestic police force. Providing security to areas of the island. They also were a force to put down domestic uprisings. Before the war against France the Haitian army was 55,000 in size. Guerrier doubled that with 115,000 with the National militia a reservist force being 220,00. The idea of the national militias was to create national cohesiveness between French and Spanish speaking subjects. He also reformed the army. Officers were to take Spanish and French-speaking classes. Plus, they must learn how to read and write in both those languages. Next order of business was rebuilding the Forts and the construction of new ones. Guerrier’s ordered the creation of 100 new forts on top of the 80 forts the entire island had. This was an ambitious and expensive project that he felt very strongly about. The Citadelle Lefferuer was rebuilt stronger than ever. It would take 10 years for these forts to be built. The brutality and destructive nature of the Haitian-French War shook the psyche of Haitian society. In a speech during the one year anniversary of the Battle of Ennery Guerrier laid out the cornerstone of Haitian foreign policy “For four years we fought many battles against the enemies of freedom. The world despises us because we are free. And yet even when we have defeated our enemies it does not mean we are safe. Nations keeping African enslaved look at our island as a threat to their greed and gluttony and vile lust. They look hungrily at the Pears of the Antilles as they cannot sate their gluttony. We are surrounded by enemies. Great Britain, Unites States, Spain, Brasil all own slaves and have agreed to keep us isolated. We are all we have to prevent these evil powers from entering our shores. We must never rest and never again allow our people to be enslaved. Never again will we feel the shackles of slavery, never again will we see our children be beaten and humiliated by the savages of Europe and America. If they did not learn from Vertieres then they will not learn from Ennery.” The saying “If they did not learn from Vertieres then they will not learn from Ennery,” became a national slogan that European powers or slaveholding power would try to invade Haiti again. This slogan would drilled in the minds of Haitians. This fear of a third war was always on the minds of Haitians and would put them in a constant war footing. Haitian society became hyper-militarized. The fear of enslavement and foreign invasion was burned into the national identity. This would lay the foundation of fortress Quiqeya. A policy that would dominant Haiti for the next 60 years. The Haitian people had a siege mentality that feared not only the French coming back but also feared an American, British, Brazilian, Spanish invasion of Haiti. Slaveholding nations were a threat to Haiti. And the fears would reach hyperdrive with the rise of the Mexican Empire. Haiti bought weapons from Gran Colombia and indirectly from Great Britain.
Gueierer was also successful at navigating in the murky waters of colour politics. He did this by empowering the military. Racial cohesiveness existed because of many reasons. The major one was the Haitian-French war forced the different factions to put their differences aside to fight a common foe. This created an esprit de corps. Second was the war Gueerirer seized power and gave the military absolute control of the island. He believed that a strong hand led by the military would secure the island internally. The military council was filled with black, mulatto officers who came from both sides of the island. Spanish and French-speaking officers were allowed in the military council. This displeased the mulatto elite who felt that they were the ones who gave Guerrier the key of the kingdom and now was overstepping his boundaries. This created friction between younger mulatto officer and the older generals. The younger officers were more unitarian as the war against the French shocked their psyche. Plus they fought side by side with black soldiers who showed their bravery and courage in the wars. They befriended and went through a lot with their black counterparts. So Guerrier would create a military elite class that although had no racial caste system created a class system that would in the long term create problems.
The mulatto elites were also divided on what to do. One faction called for assimilation. Which met to maintain their power and prestige they would have to their daughter marry into black officers or pooer mulattos. The other faction called for re-empowerment. These were the Boyerist, Petionist. They figured they needed to get rid of Guerrier once and for all. They were alarmed at how much power he amassed and how he basically written the constitution with the military but not with any word to the mulatto elites that gave him power in the first place. For two years after the war, the mulatto elite class that wanted Guerrier gone were plotting a coup. They picked Charles Riviere Herard to lead the coup. He did not like Guerrier for seizing so much power and felt he was being too authoritarian by ripping up Petion’s constitution. He began to start plotting a coup since he was given command of Sud Department and made governor. However, a young mulatto officer Reginald Lucien discovered the coup plans and presented the plans to Guerrier on July 3rd, 1830. Herard and his few officers that were going along with the plan were then arrested. Found guilty of sedition and treason and were killed in a firing squad on July 10. His property was seized by the government and given to loyal mulatto officers. The elite mulatto coup planners were also arrested but not executed. They had their properties seized and they themselves were exiled to Ile-la Vache were they lived in total poverty. It is not really clear that the coup would have been successful in the first place if Reginald Baptiste didn’t tell Guerrier. However, the Herard episode showed the split between the older and younger mulattos. The Herard incident shook Guerrier. It was after this event he created a secret police force called the National Security Brigade. They were led by General Accau and later his son. Their job was to keep tabs on the Boyerist ruling class and other rebel forces. The purge after the Herard incident degraded the power and prestige of the Boyerist ruling class and increased the power of the military. Many of the officers and generals that had Boyerist sympathies were executed. Their properties were seized. Their families were exiled in Ill la Gonave where they lived in total poverty. The remaining mulatto ruling class were the assimilatist. They were shaken by the brute force that Guerrier used to break the back of the pro Boyerist mulatto faction. It became clear that the days of mulatto elite power play were at an end. This power shift would end the partisan colour politics. As it took down mulatto power down a notch.
The Spanish east or Partie de L’est was Guerrier’s politics of inclusion was successful. The Hinch compact ended the oppressive laws and practices. Guerrier did not want the Spanish east feel like a colonial possession rather a part of Haitian society. After the war, Guerrier outlawed theft, abuse by Haitian soldiers towards the Spanish east. Any soldier who violated those codes would summarily be executed by firing squad and the family would be repaid by the soldiers pay. The population of the east was more mix. In 1835 the population was 230,000(100,000 whites, 40,000 blacks, 90,000 mulattoes). Compared to Haiti which was 600,000(482,000 blacks, 98,000 mulattoes, and 20,000 remaining whites). The color politics of the Spanish east was just as complicated and toxic in Haiti. The majority white populace did not welcome Haitian unification of the island. For them, they could not accept rule by French-speaking Africans. Guerrier ended the totalitarian rule and it for the most part stemmed separatist feeling. Haiti’s close alliance with Gran Colombia also stemmed those separatist feelings. However many whites yearned for union with the mother country of Spain. Many of the white landholding class fought against the French simply because they did not want to be under French rule. The post-war years Guerrier and his regime worked hard with outreach to the white majority of the east. However Guerrier played color politics himself. He promoted black and mulatto Spanish officers. He believed that this would check the dominant white majority. Guerrier knew that many of the whites would not accept the rule of Marchand Dessalines. Many of the mulatto and black officer promoted came from poor backgrounds and go enriched which bought their loyalty to the Guerrist regime. Guerrier was well loved by mulattoes and blacks. Padre Guerro as he was called. The whites majority was divided according to Haitian Spanish historian Rodrigo Correa. There was whites who were glad he lifted the harsh laws against the Spanish East. There was still a radical minority that wanted separation. When the Carlist dynasty founded the Mexican Empire it empowered the radical minority. Guerrier then started a racial blackening of the Spanish east. He did this by allowing American freed slaves, or runaways slaves refuge in the Spanish east. Haiti was slowly but surely improving economically and many American black former slaves felt Haiti would be a refuge free from discrimination. He also allowed American mulattos refuge as well. Ex-slaves from Brazil, Gran Colombia and other areas flocked to Haiti to escape from discrimination. This would change the demographics of the Easter side. From 1835-1845 the black population tripled and was 120,000. White population was 110,000 with mulattoes as 100,000. The rising black population raised alarm to the whites in the Spanish east. When the Mexican Empire was established it brought hope to them. Many former Santo Dominicans who fled to Cuba and Puerto Rico all appealed to the Mexican empire to lead an intervention. However this did not happen. The Mexican Empire led their support for Julio Perez who came from a wealthy landowning family that resided in Cuba after fleeing the Spanish East during Toussaint invasion.
Trade between Haiti Great Britain Gran Colombia and the Bon Gou system brought huge sums of money to the treasury. As the treasury grew from Guerrier economic policies he started a few public work projects. Roads were rebuilt, schools were built across the island to raise the literacy of the populace. Guerrier truly believed that he was the successor of Toussaint. “Toussaint had great ideas but taken down by Napoleon. It is my job and the job of my successors to bring his vision to life.” Since he had created close relations with Great Britain he allowed English teachers who knew French to teach in the schools. From 1828-1835 there was relative stability. However in 1835 is when Guerrier would face the major challenge to his rule in the post-war years that would determine the direction of Haitian history.
Sorry for the long wait guys. I was very busy at school this past semester and I am back. The TL is not dead and I promise to keep on going with this.
The next update will go back to Europe as there will be a major event that will shape the events in the Western Hemisphere.
