Louverture’s 1801 constitution abolished slavery and made all residents free and French

Evidence

In early May the Assembly completed its constitution, which was signed by Louverture and promulgated in July 1801. It decreed the colony—comprising the entirety of Hispaniola and its coastal islands—a “part of the French empire” governed by a set of “particular laws.” “In this territory, slaves cannot exist; servitude is permanently abolished,” the constitution declared. “All men within it are born, live, and die free and French.” All residents, “no matter their color,” could pursue any employment, and the only acceptable distinctions would be those based on “virtues and talents.” — Dubois, Laurent, Avengers of the New World_ The Story of…, 863

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Dubois, Laurent, Avengers of the New World_ The Story of…, 863
• XREF: connects to: Louverture pioneered governing a slave-free society without precedent; Louverture withheld abolition from Spanish Santo Domingo’s enslaved population; Louverture’s decree barred poor former slaves from acquiring land (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Bonaparte’s May 1802 decree restored slavery in French colonies. #contradicts (0.70)
• Napoleon’s 1802 decree publicly restored slavery and the slave trade in the colonies #contradicts (0.70)
• Louverture’s constitution required ex-slaves to surrender their freedom to defend it #qualifies (0.60)
• Louverture envisioned gradual emancipation rather than immediate universal liberty #contradicts (0.60)
• Louverture preserved emancipation by coercing ex-slaves to keep working plantations #qualifies (0.50) — Dubois, Laurent, Avengers of the New World_ The Story of…, 28
• Louverture proclaimed liberty the same day Sonthonax abolished slavery but against him #exemplifies (0.40)