“The revolution started in 1791 and by 1803 not only had the Maafa (slavery) ended in Haiti but also French control over the island. ‘The struggle lasted for 12 years. The [enslaved Blacks] defeated in turn the local [whytes] and the soldiers of the French monarchy, a Spanish invasion, a British expedition of some 60,000 men, and a French expedition of similar size under Bonaparte’s brother-in-law. The defeat of Bonaparte’s expedition in 1803 resulted in the establishment of the [Black] state of Haiti which has lasted to this day.” –C.L.R. James
