James intriguingly interweaves the goings on of the French Revolution with the Haitian Revolution, and relates the events and influences of each to one another. San Domingo is the ultimate French colony, and also the focal point of the African slave trade for the French empire. Because of this, France's struggles with the United States, Britain, and within its own varying social classes, invariably affect the progress of the revolution in San Domingo. Because, for James, class distinctions are stressed over those of race, he sees the French Revolution as not only a background, but a heavy influence on the Haitian Revolution as well. Events such as the proletariat uprisings and the taking of the Bastille have heavy impacts on the Slaves of San Domingo.
The Black Jacobins also focuses on Toussaint L'Ouverture as the revolutionary spearhead and organizational leader. L'Ouverture's life and his leadership of the revolution are examined as well as the revolution itself. He is credited with uniting the revolutionary forces, as well as leading many of the most important battles. His influence, as well as that of the French Revolution, is a main propellant of the book. He spearheads the revolution nearly to the end when he is captured, and then some of his most powerful generals, Moise and Dessalines, complete the revolution.
Over the course of the text, L'Ouverture comes to act almost as a tragic hero, and this is where the fine line between accurate history and historical literature is blurred, because although The Black Jacobins is probably the best account of the revolution that exists, it can seem idealistic at times. This idealism might be one reason it has become such an influential book. It has become a touch stone for thinking about the decolonization struggle.
Thanks to: Aquino Fermin, for the posting.
