War of Knives

The War of Knives (French: "Guerre des couteaux") alludes to the conflict between the great Haitian revolutionary Toussaint L'Ouverture, a Black, and his adversary André Rigaud, a mulatto, in June 1799. These men fought over control of Haiti after defeating foreign forces. Rigaud won a significant victory over the British invasion, and Toussaint was of a superior rank in the French Army. This left both individuals with a right to claim leadership, however priority was given to Toussaint by the majority. Rigaud refused to recognize the appointment, and so began the “War of Knives”.

Location

The conflict took place mainly in Jacmel where the rebels, led by Rigaud, were forced to make their final stand. Jacmel fell to Toussaint in March 1800. Rigaud was exiled to France shortly after, only to return three years later.

Ethnicity & The Conflict

Historians point to a divide among the people of Haiti, based on ethnic background. Rigaud, a mulatto, is seen as being favored by groups with lighter skin, while Toussaint was held in high regard by the rest. Some say that the dark-skin people of Haiti did not trust the mulattos, and this fueled the conflict.

Class System

André Rigaud was known to have the coarse hair of an African but the skin tone of a Caucasian. He wore a soft-haired headdress to be more accepted. He believed in a class system which put mulattos just below whites, with blacks left at the bottom. Toussaint of course would have none of this. André Rigaud struggled with his place in society as being part of both groups, but was accepted by none. Rigaud was betrayed and thrown into jail upon returning to France for failing in his rebellion.

References

*Corbett, Bob (not dated). "The Haitian Revolution of 1791-1803 An Historical Essay in Four Parts by Bob Corbett". Retrieved 06:52, December 7, 2005 [http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/haiti/history/revolution/revolution1.htm] .