Jean-Jacques Desalin is said to have been born in Santo Domingo to a black slave family. He used his father's name, so his ancestral home is still unknown. But most slaves in Haiti came from West Africa and Central Africa, so it is possible that he came from one of these two places. Desaline used to be a slave in a plantation, harvesting sugar cane and working for a French slave owner.
Later, Dishalin was bought by a free black man. After working for him for three years, Desalin took part in the slave uprising and sent his two brothers to Santo Domingo to join forces with Spain against France. He made many brilliant achievements on the battlefield, so he became the right-hand man of black leader Toussaint L'Ouverture. 1794, France was forced to declare the abolition of slavery, and most slaves were freed. Toussaint took refuge in France, and then Desalin took part in the battle against Spain and Britain. 1799 promoted to brigadier general.
Soon, Napoleon stepped into politics. Many government officials and whites hoped to restore slavery on the island of Haiti, so he sent troops to Haiti in an attempt to practice slavery again here. Of course, Toussaint, Desaline and other blacks disagreed, so they fought with the French army. Toussaint was captured by the French army, and Desalin became the revolutionary leader. Less than a year later, Napoleon announced the restoration of slavery. Dishalin once again led the black uprising and, with the support of Britain, successfully drove out the French.
1 804 65438+1October1,Desalin declared Haiti's independence in the name of the governor. Since then, Haiti has become the first country in the world established by slave uprising. In September of the same year, he became emperor of Haiti, known as Jacques I, and held a coronation ceremony. Because he was oppressed and exploited by white people since he was a child, he hated white people very much. Therefore, he ordered the confiscation of white land, deprived them of useful property, and launched a campaign to eliminate white people.
Desalin said: "In order to declare our independence, we should regard the skins of white people as parchment, their heads as ink bottles, their blood as ink and their bayonets as pens!" Under his command and call, 1804 witnessed the "Haitian massacre". A large number of whites were killed, and many rights of whites and hybrids were deprived. The policies he pursued aroused strong dissatisfaction among white people.
In addition, the Haitian economy was hit hard at that time. The local people are uneducated and lack skills. In this case, Desaline encourages exports. However, in order to increase agricultural production, he re-established the plantation system and treated his own people like white people treat black slaves. His rule aroused people's strong dissatisfaction and led to internal rebellion.
180610 June 17, Desalin was assassinated when he went to Port-au-Prince to suppress the rebellion. After the twentieth century, he was once again regarded as a symbol of Haitian nationalism. Haiti's national anthem "Song of Disharina" is to commemorate him.