The Haitian Revolution began in 1791, and by 1804, the Haitian rebels had succeeded in driving the French from the island. In the aftermath of the revolution, Haiti became the first independent black-majority nation in the world. The American response to the Haitian Revolution was shaped by a number of factors, including:
* The issue of slavery. The United States was a slave society, and many Americans were deeply invested in the institution of slavery. They feared that the Haitian Revolution could inspire similar uprisings in the American South, and they were therefore opposed to any American intervention that might help the Haitian revolutionaries.
* The fear of contagion. The American Revolution had been fought in part against British oppression, and many Americans were wary of the spread of revolution to other parts of the world. They feared that the Haitian Revolution could spark a wave of revolutions throughout the Americas, and they were therefore reluctant to intervene in Haiti.
* The desire for trade. The United States had a strong economic interest in Haiti, and many American merchants were eager to trade with the newly independent nation. They hoped that the United States could establish a close relationship with Haiti, and they were therefore opposed to any American intervention that might damage relations between the two countries.
In light of these factors, the American government adopted a policy of neutrality towards Haiti. This meant that the United States did not provide any direct assistance to the Haitian revolutionaries, but it also did not provide any assistance to the French forces that were attempting to suppress the rebellion. However, the American government did provide covert assistance to the French, such as providing them with arms and ammunition.
The American response to the Haitian Revolution was a complex and multifaceted one, and it reflected the deep divisions that existed within American society over the issue of slavery.