Final answer:
The Dominican Republic's fight for independence was influenced by Haiti's earlier revolution, which was a dual struggle against colonialism and slavery. The fear of slave rebellions among political elites in the Americas impacted the independence movements within the region, with implications on racial structures and blackness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Struggle for Independence and Blackness in the Dominican Republic (1844)
The history of the Dominican Republic's struggle for independence is deeply interlinked with racial dynamics and the concept of "blackness." The French colony of Saint-Domingue and the Spanish colony — the future Dominican Republic — shared the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Many of the laborers in these colonies were enslaved Africans. The Haitian Revolution, which resulted in the creation of the second republican system in the Western hemisphere after the United States, was a testament to the successful rebellion of these enslaved people against colonial power.
This revolution was particularly unique as it wasn't just a battle for independence but a fundamental fight for freedom from slavery. With figures like Toussaint Louverture, who was born into slavery, the enslaved Africans secured a victory against the French, paving the way for Haiti's independence in 1804. Despite this, Louverture created a constitution for Haiti while still acknowledging the French Empire, highlighting the complexity of the revolution's objectives—both political independence and the abolition of slavery.
The reaction to the Haitian Revolution in nearby colonies was one of fear and containment. Political elites in the Americas were concerned that the success in Haiti would spark further slave rebellions, complicating efforts for their own independence movements which were predominantly led by white creole minorities. The Dominican struggle for independence in 1844, known as the Dominican War of Independence, took place in this cautious atmosphere, where racial and social hierarchies were enshrined in colonial structures, making the process of independence a contestation of not just colonial power but also racial dynamics.