Question

What do you think Dessalines means when he says, "We have dared to be free; let us then be by ourselves and for ourselves?"

A. He is advocating for continued French rule.
B. He is expressing a desire for foreign intervention.
C. He is emphasizing the need for self-reliance and independence.
D. He is criticizing the idea of freedom.

Answer 1

Jean-Jacques Dessalines's statement emphasizes Haiti's need for self-reliance and independence after liberating itself from French colonial rule, advocating for a nation governed by its own people and for its own benefit.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Jean-Jacques Dessalines says, "We have dared to be free; let us then be by ourselves and for ourselves," he is emphasizing the need for self-reliance and independence. This statement reflects Dessalines' vision for Haiti following its successful rebellion against French colonial rule. Rather than seeking assistance or intervention from other nations, or continuing under the oppression of French rule, Dessalines is advocating for a sovereign Haiti, governed by and for its own people.

This aligns with the broader goals of the Haitian Revolution, which sought to establish independence and put an end to slavery. The revolution resulted in Haiti becoming the second liberated territory and republican system in the Western hemisphere after the United States, with a society free from the chains of colonialism and an economy unshackled from the exploitation of slavery.