Read the passage below, written by Dr. James McCune Smith, an American
abolitionist. Based on this excerpt, what could an American abolitionist claim
about the Haitian Revolution to argue against slavery in the United States?
In regard to the army of Toussaint, General Lacroix, one of
the planters who returned, affirms "that never was a
European army subjected to a more rigid discipline than
that which was observed by the troops of Toussaint." Yet
this army was converted by the commander-in-chief into
industrious laborers, by the simple expedient of paying
them for their labor. "When he restored many of the
planters to their estates, there was no restoration of their
former property in human beings. No human being was to
be bought or sold. Severe tasks, flagellations, and scanty
food were no longer to be endured. The planters were
obliged to employ their laborers on the footing of hired
servants.
-1
1. James McCune Smith, Toussaint LOuverture and the Haytian Revolutions, February
26, 1841, Louverture Project, accessed May 2, 2013,
http://thelouvertureproject.org/index.php?title=Toussaint L%27
Ouverture_and_the_Haytian Revolutions.
A. Planters will be unwilling to fight in order to keep their slaves.
B. Enslaved people will revolt if slavery is not abolished immediately.
C. People work harder and do a better job when they are paid for their
work.
D. Winning freedom for enslaved people will be simpler than
previously believed.