Abbé Grégoire and Haitian independence

Abstract

This article examines the attitude of Abbé Grégoire, the abolitionist bishop who supported the French Revolution, towards Haitian independence. Because Grégoire remained steadfast in his beliefs that republican universalism and the Christian faith were the key to social and moral progress, his attitude toward the independence of Saint-Domingue changed. Until 1802, Grégoire remained hostile to such independence because he saw the colonial bond between revolutionary continental France and its colonies as a way to bring freedom and equality to oppressed black people in the West Indies. Following his unsuccessful attempt to extend the arm of the French constitutional church to Saint-Domingue, the re-establishment of slavery, and the failed French expedition aimed at retaking control of Saint-Domingue (1802), Grégoire switched his position to supporting Haitian independence, seeing the new republic as the last remaining territory to carry the revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality. While his personal situation worsened during the Restoration, Grégoire remained very supportive of Haiti. He was, however, saddened to see the Haitian republic run by an authoritarian regime and later by the country's apparent willingness to satisfy France's conditions for the recognition ol Haitian independence. © 2004.