Ardain Isma
CSMS Magazine
“No circumstance can allow a man to plunge his fellow human into servitude. Slavery, to break its chains, must not shrink from any means. God, who created men free and equal, will forgive him for all the means to which he resorts in order to conquer his freedom.”
— Thomas Madiou (Vol. 2. p. 331)
This powerful passage by Thomas Madiou, a prominent Haitian historian, comes from his “Histoire d’Haïti”, a multi-volume work chronicling the history of Haiti, particularly focusing on the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) and the struggle for independence from French colonial rule. It captures the essence of the moral and philosophical justification for the Haitian Revolution, the only successful slave revolt in history that resulted in the establishment of the first Black republic. So, let’s clarify the context of Madiou’s passage.
Moral Justification of Freedom
Madiou’s words reflect a firm stance against slavery, grounded in the belief that no condition or circumstance can justify the enslavement of one human by another. This aligns with the revolutionary ideals of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, particularly the concepts of human equality, freedom, and the inherent rights of individuals, which were strongly advocated during both the Haitian and French Revolutions.
Necessity of Resistance
The line “Slavery, to break its chains, must not shrink from any means” emphasizes the necessity of resisting slavery by any means necessary. In the context of Haiti, this included violent rebellion and armed struggle. The Haitian Revolution was marked by brutal conflict between the enslaved Africans and the French colonial forces, as well as internal divisions between the affranchis (free people of color) and the enslaved population. Madiou justifies the use of all possible methods to gain freedom, recognizing that in the face of such an oppressive system, nothing could be ruled out.
Divine Endorsement
The passage also touches on the notion of divine justice. Madiou invokes God as the ultimate authority, suggesting that God, who created humans “free and equal,” would forgive the revolutionary acts undertaken to achieve liberty. This reflects the deeply religious aspect of Haitian society at the time and ties the struggle for freedom to a higher moral law, suggesting that the fight for liberty is not only justified but also divinely sanctioned.
Historical Background
The Haitian Revolution was inspired by Enlightenment ideals and influenced by the French Revolution, but it also differed in crucial ways. While the French Revolution focused on the rights of men in France, the Haitian Revolution was a radical demand for the abolition of slavery and the recognition of Black people’s full humanity and autonomy. Its leaders like Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and Henri Christophe drew upon both Enlightenment principles and African traditions of resistance.
The brutality of the colonial system in Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) was unparalleled in the Americas. Enslaved Africans endured extreme physical and psychological torment, leading to a collective will to resist. The Revolution, which started in 1791, saw enslaved people rise against their French oppressors and fight for over a decade to win independence. Haiti declared independence on January 1, 1804, making it the first Black republic and the first nation in the Americas to abolish slavery completely.
Philosophical Reflection
Madiou’s text is not merely a historical account but also a reflection on the nature of freedom and the morality of resistance. By stating that God will forgive any means used to attain liberty, Madiou aligns himself with the idea that freedom is a natural right, one that transcends laws and social norms imposed by colonial powers. His text serves as both a moral defense of the Revolution and a broader statement about the universal nature of freedom.
Impact on Haitian Identity
This passage encapsulates much of what became central to Haitian national identity—an enduring belief in equality, the inherent dignity of all people, and the sanctity of freedom. These values would become the foundation of the Haitian state, even as the country faced numerous internal and external challenges post-independence. Madiou’s work, particularly with sentiments like this, helped shape the narrative of Haitian history as one of resistance, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to freedom.
Madiou, writing decades after the revolution, uses this text to remind readers of the revolutionary ethos that founded the nation and the righteousness of the Haitian people’s struggle for liberty. His historical works remain foundational in understanding how Haitians view their revolution and the moral imperatives that drove it.
Note: Ardain Isma is the Chief-Editor of CSMS Magazine. He is the author of several books, including Midnight at Noon, Bittersweet Memories of Last Spring, and Last Spring was Bittersweet. You can order these books by clicking on the links above.
