A Haitian Revolutionary Manifesto? New Perspectives on the 'Letter of Jean-François, Biassou, and Belair'

Some recent historians of the Haitian Revolution have cited a document called 'The Letter of Jean-François, Biassou and Belair', as the most important statement of the goals of that movement, whereas other scholars have cast doubt on the Letter's authenticity. A previously overlooked...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Slavery & abolition 2022-01, Vol.43 (1), p.3-19
Main Author: Popkin, Jeremy D.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Some recent historians of the Haitian Revolution have cited a document called 'The Letter of Jean-François, Biassou and Belair', as the most important statement of the goals of that movement, whereas other scholars have cast doubt on the Letter's authenticity. A previously overlooked archival source strengthens the case for the Letter's authenticity and clarifies the circumstances in which it was composed. A comparison of the Letter with other statements of the Haitian revolutionaries' goals shows that the Black leaders of the movement responded to changing political circumstances, shifting their language as their assessment of the situation facing them changed.
ISSN:0144-039X
1743-9523
DOI:10.1080/0144039X.2021.1978231