11. The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804)
The Haitian Revolution stands as the only successful slave revolt in recorded history. Enslaved Africans and free people of color in the French colony of Saint-Domingue rose up, defeating colonial armies and abolishing slavery. Their victory led to the creation of the independent nation of Haiti, sending shockwaves through the colonial world and inspiring abolitionist movements globally. However, the revolution also provoked harsh economic and political reprisals from world powers. Delve deeper into this transformative uprising at Smithsonian Magazine.
