Description:
Haiti was the only nation in the western hemisphere to end slavery as part of its declaration of independence (1803) — therefore ensuring true independence for all people. Just as the study of Black History should be year round, so can our study of Haiti. For example, Professor Madison Smartt Bell suggests that “The Haitian Revolution, though seldom studied in proper detail outside Haiti, ought to be found near the center of any basic curriculum of American history.”
To assist in bringing this history to the classroom, we have posted Teaching About Haiti online. This 43-page booklet (PDF), last reprinted in 1994, can be downloaded and reproduced at no cost. While some of the statistics are dated, the history, songs, oral histories, and literature are very useful for students in elementary, middle and high schools.
More Resources:
- Teaching about Haiti Booklist
- Teaching guides, articles, and films