Ch. 9, 10, 11 HW - Black Behind The Ears Book PDF

Preview

Summary

Black Behind The Ears Book...

Description

Emmitt Baez Professor Bueno BLK 331 3 Oct. 2016 Ch, 9, 10 and 11 Response Chapter 9: Literature and Theater of Revolution 1. What is the brief historical timeline of Haiti from 1804 through the 1930’s? a. Be sure to include the different factions that emerged in Haiti. b. List key figures (Boyer, Christophe, Riguad, Petion, Soulouque). ● January 1, 1804 - Independence is formally declared in Saint Domingue ● 1810 - Newly found state had dissolved ○ Split into 4 political entities ■ In the South: a republic under Toussaint L’Ouverture rival, Rigaud ■ In the West, a republic under mulatto Petion ■ In the North, a black state lead by Henri Christophe ● In 1811 turned into a monarchy ■ In the East, Spanish colony, Santo Domingo, in 1822, got incorporated into Haitian State. ● 1812- Rigaud’s republic did not survive his death ● 1820 - Northern kingdom continued until his suicide, caused by popular resistance ● 1822 - Boyer invades Spanish Santo Domingo and unifies Island. ● 1825 - France recognizes Haiti’s Independence in return for revolution reparations ● 1844 - Spanish Santo Domingo declares independence from Haiti ● 1849 - 1859: Soulouque’s empire ● 1915 - U.S invasion of Haiti ● 1934 - U.S withdraws from Haiti 2. How do the racial caste system and social divisions inherited as a legacy of slavery and colonialism negatively impact the formation of a National State (i.e. Liberal Party & National Party)? The racial caste system and social divisions inherited as a legacy of slavery and colonialism negatively impacted the formation of a National State because the tragic history lingered for many years. People could not seem to see Haiti as anything else but a horrible country where the “savaged” slaves ruined the “perfect” life for the white slave owners. The legacy of slavery in the Island of Hispaniola, present day Haiti and Dominican Republic, was so strong that it stood with Haiti throughout the 19th century and early 20th century. No matter how much effort the country put forth to advance from that history, it yanked them down over and

over. Basically, Haiti could not move forward because of the hardships colonialism and slavery brought forth.

3.

What was the main theme of literature in post revolutionary Haiti? Discuss the impact of

language (the use of Creole and French). The main theme of literature in post revolutionary Haiti was bilingual poetry. A small elite in Haiti, after the revolution, spoke French and the ones who were able to speak Creole, which is the national language, were excluded from writing. This is to say that a lot of these writings that could have existed in creole do no exist because of the disallowance of the language being used in the writings. Haiti was a country where only the elite could prosper intellectually. I agree with Henock Trouillot that “Haitian literature...is a literature developed in favor of a small , rapacious, anti-progressive, anti-popular elite” (205).

4.

Discuss the key aspects of post revolutionary theater in Haiti. How does theater become a

“contestatory cultural formation in the hemispheric struggle for emancipation”? (p213, here think about the role of theater & hybrid theater culture that emerges in post revolutionary Haiti) Post revolutionary theater in Haiti, in my opinion, created a concept that was necessary in a sense, that concept is all people of color coexisting in a public setting. First off though, the theatrical life never failed to subdue despite the fact the country was in complete turmoil because of the revolution; “Cornvein claims that although the country was ravaged and the theaters themselves had been destroyed…, theatrical life never subsided, and plays were performed in private houses…” (207). Back to my first point, after the revolution era theater became different because in these plays, whites, blacks and mulattoes would be in each other presence in the audience. “Theater appears to have been one arena where blacks, white, and mulattoes mixed with relative ease…” (208). Blacks were still forced to sit in the back of the audience, of course this was still an issue because it was unfair, but this was an attempt, in my eyes, to make every mix mingle with each other. It is interesting how nothing, but theater, made this possible. Theater becomes a “contestatory cultural formation in the hemispheric struggle for emancipation”

because some plays embraced revolution and actually signified progressive ideas. For example, the Heros Africain of 1797 was seen as an emblem of revolution. Key terms/people/events Sonthonax Jacobin Club: or Société des Jacobins, Amis de la Liberté et de l’Égalité, the most famous political group of the French  Revolution, which became identified with extreme egalitarianism and violence and which led the Revolutionary government from mid-1793 to mid-1794. Girondins: or Girondists were members of the Gironde, a political group operating in France from 1791 to 1795 during the French Revolution. The Girondins were active within the Legislative Assembly and the National Convention. Colonists/Planters/Plantation owners/Creoles

Amis des Noir: French Anti-Slavery Organization 1788-1793 Louis Dufay: (pages 219-220)

Brissot: (pages 221-222) Sonthonax decree of August 29,1973

February 4, 1794—the Empire of France abolishes slavery in all of its territories Colonialism: political-economic exploitation of a society by a powerful invading group from the outside.

Metropolis: in this context the parent state of a colony (France is the metropolis and French Saint Domingue is the colony). Republican principles: belief that in a nation-state supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch. Suzerainty: is a situation in which a powerful region or people controls the foreign policy and international relations of a tributary vassal state while allowing the subservient nation internal autonomy. (216) The French Convention (French: Convention Nationale): was a single-chamber assembly in France from 20 September 1792 to 26 October 1795 during the French Revolution. (Robespierre most prominent member of the Convention p221) Natural rights: rights that are not contingent upon the laws, customs, or beliefs of any particular culture or government, and therefore universal and inalienable (i.e., rights that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws, for example universal human rights). Chapter 10 “General Liberty, or The Planters in Paris”: 1. Chapter 10 centers around a historical and political analysis of the play General Liberty,

 ithin the context of the French Revolution and more or The Planters in Paris w importantly the “dangerously l inked” issue of slavery and the issue of independence. a.

Briefly provide the historical backdrop to the play, including the fear of Toussaint with

regards to Sonthonax (216-217). The play itself was demanded by French commissioner Sonthonax in 1796. It was ordered for the celebration of the anniversary of the storming of the Tuileries and the overthrow of the monarchy which happened on August 10, 1792. The events portrayed in the play did not commemorate the French Republic, which was a goal of the play. This play was full of made up

events that led up to the passing of the law which banned slavery in 1794. La Liberte Generale was commissioned to propose a close link between the French Republic and abolition.

2. Provide a synopsis of the play La Liberté Générale. a.

Who are the main characters and what do they represent? Larcheveques-Thibaut, Page, Bruley, and Verneuil were the main characters. They were

real-life representatives of the colonists in Paris. b.

With regards to Haiti what is the goal of the planters? The goal of the planters is to prevent the abolition law from being improved and to keep

slavery in Haiti up and running by implementing new special laws. c.

What is the parallel between Télémaque in the play and Dufay’s speech at the Convention?

What is the “new social contract” Dufay proposes? The parallel between Telemaque in the play and Dufay’s speech at the Convention was that the planters attempted to avoid the deputies of Saint Domingue from mentioning the convention by arresting them. Dufay came out after four days of imprisonment. The new social contract Dufay proposes was on the basis of the equality of the people, and the assistance of the republican state of France would be implemented in the defense of the new state of liberty against the planters and foreigners.

3.

Fischer argues that “France was severely divided on the issue of slavery” (p.221) and

despite the sound historical foundation of the play that “by linking the cause of antislavery to republicanism, La Liberté Générale  produces a coalition that did not exist.” a.

By erasing Brissot and the Girondins, one erases the centrality of slavery & colonialism to

the French Revolution (222-223). Who was Brissot and the Girondins? Jacques-Pierre Brissot was an abolitionist, journalists and one of Robespierre’s main adversaries in the assembly. The Girondins are described “ as the representatives of the merchant bourgeoisie and the rich harbor cities on the Atlantic coast” (223).

b.

What is the conflict between individual liberty and sovereignty? (224-225) The French Revolution

c.

Within the context the French Revolution’s shift from a focus on the natural rights of

humans to the importance of the sovereignty of the nation-state, what is the meaning of La Liberté Générale f or conflicting issues of abolitionism and independence? (225-226) The meaning of La Liberte Generale for conflicting issues of abolitionism and independence is that it put those issues at center and addressed them. It shows that these planters, used exploitation to get their way. d.

Could abolition exist for ex-slaves of Saint Domingue without independence from France?

With abolition of slavery would the planters also argue for independence from France (think: what did the planters want)? I say yes because they were two separate nations and it could have been possible if wanted. I do not think the planters would want the independence of France as well. They honestly just did not want to see slaves run the country. They would do anything and everything in order not to see a person of color in power.

Chapter 11: Foundational Fictions: Post Revolutionary Constitutions I

1.

What are the four constitutions published from 1801 to 1816? 1801 - Toussaint Louverture issued constitution 1805 - Dessalines constitution, first after independence 1807 - Henri Christophe’s constitution 1816 - Petion publishes a new version of constitution which fixes problems in 1806.

2.

Provide a synopsis of Toussaint’s constitution. How did Dessalines’ constitution of 1806

differ from Toussaint’s? What is the main difference? (P. 230) Toussaint’s constitution is for the freedom of slaves and does not mention independence from the French at all. He wanted to free the slaves but still have Haiti be under French rule.

Dessalines’ constitution of 1806 differs from Toussaint’s because he did not want the French to get involved in anything and gave all legislative powers to himself.

3. How does Dessalines’ constitution both encompass universalism and particularism? (231-232, 234) Dessalines’ constitution both encompass universalism and particularism by mentioning that they assert a principle of universal equality and then in the same gesture affirm human diversity and difference” (231).

4.

See page 232 and read Articles 12-14. How does the 1805 constitution make race become a

political category (as opposed to a biological category)? The 1805 constitution make race become a political category by stating that Haitians are to be considered a “generic denomination” of blacks.

5.

What was the importance of restricting whites from owning property for the radical

antislavery revolutionary project? (238, 232) The importance of restricting whites from owning property for the radical antislavery revolutionary project was to show the whites how badly the slaves were treated back then, when things were completely different. This was the most restrictive that the Haitian government has ever been.

6.

Explain the “color question” (233) and the “race relations act”(235). The color question mentioned on page 233 refers to the instance when being of dark skin

color would was associated with being Haitian. The race relations act was implemented to stop the disputes caused by the controversy of race. Louis Pierrot came to power in 1845 and he was a black general. He made this go in effect and people would in fact go away from trying to indulge in conversation of race.

7.

See page 238, Articles 1,2 & 36,37, 44. Why is the Haitian State declaring it will not

interfere in other territories? Why was this important for its’ own independence? (see also 244). The Haitian State declared it will not interfere in other territories because it does not want to follow in the footsteps of its’ colonial ruler. It is important for its’ own independence to not interfere so that the world can see what Haiti really stands for.

8.

See Article 44 (page 238) & Article 7 (p241). Who is Haitian? What is the political

significance here? All Africans and Indians who reside in Haiti are Haitian; to have ful citizenship, you would have to live on the country for a year. The political significance here is that some respect is brought forth to the Haitian name. Now people had to try to become a Haitian. Being recognized as a Haitian was not a negative thing any more.

9.

What is the difference between Dominican and Haitian indigenism (242-244)? The difference between Dominican and Haitian indigenism is that Haiti did not want to

hide behind the ugly lies that existed for far too long. Haiti, let it be known that they were the land who came from nothing and was savaged by slavery, and became free and created a land for the free by the free....