AHC/WI: Free Black Slaves Enmasse Immigrate to Haiti

6a00d8341c464853ef017d3c09bbdd970c-320wi


Challenge:

Have free black slaves from the U.S., Carribean and Europe migrate to Haiti in large numbers in the decades after the Slave Rebelion.

What would be the residual effects economically, socially and politically

Would the western powers stand for it?

Note: this would occur before 1844 (war of dominican independance)
 
Last edited:
Challenge:

Have black slaves from the U.S., Carribean and Europe migrate to Haiti in large numbers in the decades after the Slave Rebelion.

What would be the residual effects economically, socially and politically

Would the western powers stand for it?

Note: this would occur before 1844 (war of dominican independance)

It could be done, but would be most likely to come about if the Liberia colony had failed, or never been thought of in the first place. It could be a bit difficult to move than, say, maybe five thousand Freedmen a year to the colony without any forceful removal, and many of the new arrivals would probably have a little trouble learning the native languages(French and Haitian Creole for Haiti, and Spanish in what was to be the Dominican Republic). So yeah, not the most ideal situation.....but then again, neither was Liberia IOTL.
 
The ones that would mainly be skilled laborers from the south and unskilled, but with a higher % of the former. Freed blacks would immigrate as well, and most of those with means would be the small black merchant community (it existed, plus there were assistants to white businessmen who were managers) and skilled laborers, plus anyone who made it to the "middle class", using that term liberally (literate and does clerical work, largely for white masters or black communities).

The result is the arrival of a new ruling class in Haiti and a second society on top of that. The american black won't be seen as the same as the ones in Haiti. Some will be normal laborers but the skilled laborers and small merchants that move over would be come a rich upper class and elite. Hatred for Americans overall, even if Haiti becomes more prosperous, but the US government wouldn't let them be kicked out (where would they go? Not home!). Eventually from this position of security and ties back home to the "free slaves and move them out" movement, the government would slowly be dominated by American blacks and their allies. In the early 1900s historically the black republic becomes prosperous, so it would be even moreso, and the American blacks will add a layer of "sanity" (not intending to be regionalist, just saying that Duvalier wouldn't be in power) that would avoid todays' problems.

As for USA, salve revolts would be bigger from returning emigrants organizing, and the civil war would start slightly sooner.
 
6a00d8341c464853ef017d3c09bbdd970c-320wi


Challenge:

Have black slaves from the U.S., Carribean and Europe migrate to Haiti in large numbers in the decades after the Slave Rebelion.

What would be the residual effects economically, socially and politically

Would the western powers stand for it?

Note: this would occur before 1844 (war of dominican independance)
How do they get there? Runaway slaves don't have money to pay for travel expenses.
 

Deleted member 67076

This would require a POD where Haiti isn't diplomatically isolated and more stable which means Gran Colombia needs to survive in addition to the obvious changes in Haitian leadership. However this leaves one problem: Gran Colombia also had a plan of wanting to get freed to immigrate into the country to settle the lowlands.

And for the record, more slaves immigrating wouldn't prevent the Dominican Independence War.
 

Deleted member 67076

This is interesting. Would the new population make Haiti's situation better or worse than OTL?

Entirely depends on the international situation and what path of development Haiti chooses. Extra slaves would probably tip the balance towards a more Alexandre Petion style development where yeoman farmers form the basis of the state instead of debt peonage and corvee labor of cash crops. Can't say for sure however.
 
This is interesting. Would the new population make Haiti's situation better or worse than OTL?

I honestly think this could be a nice niche timeline.
I truly believe Haiti and Freedman, who otherwise would have been shipped to Liberia, would have been far better off in this scenario.

The economic proximity to the US, the ability to migrate between back and forth easily with dual citizenship could make a very different Haiti.
 

Deleted member 67076

I honestly think this could be a nice niche timeline.
I truly believe Haiti and Freedman, who otherwise would have been shipped to Liberia, would have been far better off in this scenario.

The economic proximity to the US, the ability to migrate between back and forth easily with dual citizenship could make a very different Haiti.
Dual citizenship wasnt big at this time, neither would it be easy for Blacks to obtain citizenship.
 
The US could support the movement. Might even be more advantageous then trying to maintain a colony all the way in west africa.

Hunh???

the OP requests
Have black slaves from the U.S., Carribean and Europe migrate to Haiti in large numbers in the decades after the Slave Rebelion.

Slaves, not freedmen.
If the 'US' tried to support fleeing slaves, it would be ruled quickly unconstitutional. If they wanted to help slaves flee, they could refuse to enforce the Fugitive Slave laws. They wouldn't go beyond that to shipping them overseas. Since even LAX enforcement of the Fugitive Slave laws was one of the causes that led to the Civil War, such a Federal action would almost certainly cause one immediately.
 
I don't think the U.S. would ever want to enrich Haiti, given the very long and racist vendetta the government and the planter class has against them. What if the U.S. purchased Puerto Rico or some island from Spain and tried to create a Liberia in the Caribbean? I think the problem with Liberia is that it's far way as heck, and also deadly with tropical diseases.
 
Hunh???

the OP requests


Slaves, not freedmen.
If the 'US' tried to support fleeing slaves, it would be ruled quickly unconstitutional. If they wanted to help slaves flee, they could refuse to enforce the Fugitive Slave laws. They wouldn't go beyond that to shipping them overseas. Since even LAX enforcement of the Fugitive Slave laws was one of the causes that led to the Civil War, such a Federal action would almost certainly cause one immediately.

I had meant "free slaves"

Should have been more explicit.
 
People need to take cultural differences in hand. Haitians speak either French or Haitian Creole and are either Catholic,Vodou practicioners or both. The average freed slave is English speaking are predominantly Baptist or Methodist. There's going to be a language barrier at least.
 
Top