Talk - Haiti in the age of revolutions

The talk by Charles Forsdick analyses the historical silencing of the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) in accounts of the age of revolutions. It explores how this radical search for universal emancipation has been eclipsed by emphases on its American and French counterparts. The presentation introduces the key events and figures of the Haitian Revolution, explains their relationship to the French Revolution, and assesses the recent acknowledgement of the importance of Haiti in France, notably in the creation of related lieux de mémoire and reform of educational programmes. The talk concludes with a discussion of the implications of the forthcoming bicentenary in 2025 of the debt imposed by France on Haiti in return for recognition of its independence.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Alliance Française Cambridge, 1 Red Cross Lane, Cambridge, United Kingdom