Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Emperor of Haiti

      Dessalines was illiterate but a fast learner. He rose to the post of the chief lieutenant of L'Ouverture. Dessalines leadership qualities and military valor, he  helped L'Ouverture gain victories in the eastern half of the island, which was under Spanish control. In 1799, Dessalines became the brigadier general, second in command to L'Ouverture, and was nicknamed "The Tiger" for his ferocity in battle. He led a number of expeditions and was known for his merciless dealings with the enemy and for burning enemy villages down. The rebo troops succeeded in restoring a major part of Saint Domingue For the French, who nominated L'Ouverture as the governor general of the colony. Later, L'Ouverture made himself the "Governor-for-life." He initiated the process of creating a new constitution for the French colony.

    After France came under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte, the whites and mulatto palntation owners sought to make Saint Domingue a French colony once again. They wished to re-enact slavery on the island. Napleon sent an army to reinstate French rule. Dessalines and L'Ouverture battled against the invading French army led by General Charles Leclerc. Dessalines became Famous for the Battle of Crete-a-pierrot, fought between March 4 to March 24, 1802. although is army was small of 1,300, he fought against the strong French army of 18,000.          French General Leclerc was aided by mulatto leaders Alexander Petion and Andre Riguad. After the Battle of Crete-aPierrot, General Leclerc came forward to discuss terms with the  rebel leaders. Dessalines became unhappy with L'Ouverture, and moved to the side of the French. Some Historians report that this was only his strategy to gain the confience of the French, While he also ocontinued with their fight for independence. However, Dessalines's move was believed to be partly responsible for the French arresting L'Ouverture on June 7. 1802. He was depaorted to France Where he died months later.

    Dessalines soon realized, the French wanted to reinstate slavery in Saint Domingue (Haiti). He left the French side and went against them in October, 1802. General Leclerc and many French were struck by yellow fever, proved fatal for Leclerc. A General by the name of Rochambeau took charge in his place. he soon became unpopular for hiss brutalities.

     After L'Ouverture's arrest, Dessalines became the commander of the rebels. He was supported by the forces of mulatto general Alexandre Petion, because of Rochambeau's ruthlessness, all the rebels united against the French. Dessalines's forces won several battles against the French and defeated the enemy on November 18,1803, at the Battle of Vertieres. November 30, 1803, Dessalines became the governor general of Saint Domigue. December 4, 1803, the French army handed over the last of hteir territories.

     Dessalines became a sucessful rebel comander who led the world's only slave rebellion that culminated in the formation of an independent nation. Dessalines declared the independence of Saint Domingue on January1,1804 and named it Haiti. He Declared himself the "Governor-General-for-life" of Haiti. September 22,1804, the Haitian Revolutionary Army, declared Dessalines the "Emperor of Haiti." The coranation ceremony took place on October 6, 1804, he was crowned Emperor Jacques I. 

     Dessalines proved to be an authoritarian ruler. he imposed a forced labor system. He believed, harsh methods were essential to prevent the contry from going back the the sustenance economy. he made it mandatory for all blacks to either work as solders or laborers. He confiscated all land owned by whites and made it illegal for them to own any land. As he had suffered brutalities under white masters, Dessalines ordered a brutal mass killing of the island's whites. Between January and April 1804, 3,000 to 5,000 white people, all ages and all sexes were killed. Dessalines is remembered in history for what is Known as "The 1804 Haiti Massacre."

     Dessalines also brought in good reforms to improve Haiti's economy and carried out all his trde with eith the U.S. or the U.K. However, people were dissatisfied with his serve regime. Christophe conspired against him, and Dessalines was assassinated in Port-au-Prince at POnt Larnage (Pont-Rouge), October 17,1806. Later Petion and Christorhe divided the country and ruled the two parts separately. Today, called Dominican Replubic and Haiti, which most people think are two seperate countries.

    Although Dessalines was assassinated for his harsh rule. He is remembered as one of the founding fathers of the country. The national anthem of Haiti is named after him.