Haiti s constitution of 1987 with amendments through 2012. The former constitution was composed in order to end the succession of dictatorialinherited regimes, and the haitian population ratified it by means of a referendum. On february 4, 1801, the seventh anniversary of the abolition of slavery by the national assembly, toussaint louverture convoked a constitutional assembly to. Researchers have characteristically studied the constitutions between 1801 and 1807 primarily as legal documents. Toussaints constitution 1801 with introduction ku scholarworks.
Domingo, hereby agree to form themselves into a free state sovereign and independent of any other power in the universe, under the name of empire of hayti. The representatives of the colony of saintdomingue, gathered in central assembly, have arrested and established the constitutional bases of the regime of the french colony of saintdomingue as follows title i of the territory. Constitution of 1801 pensions paid by the state cohstitution indexed to the cost of living. Constitution of hayti 1805 wikisource, the free online. The struggle for the recognition of haiti and liberia as independent republics. Haiti has promulgated 23 constitutions since gaining its independence from france in 1804, which reflects the countrys political instability. Do declare that the tenor intent of the present constitution is the free. Centered is a white rectangle that bears haitis coat of arms.
Refers to the colony of saintdomingue, the seat of cities and neighboring islands, subject to french rule. The constitution of saintdomingue haiti was signed in 1801 by governorgeneral for life toussaint louverture, the ruler of hispaniola before haiti became a republic. The 1811 constitution of haiti constitutional law of the council of state april 6, 1811 which establishes royalty in hayti. Sep 22, 2007 researchers have characteristically studied the constitutions between 1801 and 1807 primarily as legal documents. The people inhabiting the island formerly called st. The constitution, haitis second, was promulgated on may 20, 1805. Mar 25, 20 the constitution of saintdomingue haiti was signed in 1801 by governorgeneral for life toussaint louverture, the ruler of hispaniola before haiti became a republic. In 1801, he capture santo domingo, wrote a constitution without the consent of napoleon, abolished slavery, and worked towards fixing the economy. In 1801, haiti was still a colony in the french empire. The victorious rebels declared the republic of haiti on january 1, 1804. Established toussaint as governor for life and gave him the right to select his successor future governors would be limited to 5 year terms.
Constitution of 1807 formalized a northern state of haiti with christophe as its president for life and a small appointed council of state, composed primarily of generals. A glossary of legal terms commonly used in connection with mutual assistance in criminal matters and extradition in the oas member states. The constitution, haiti s second, was promulgated on may 20, 1805. Ensure their inalienable and imprescriptible rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The saintdomingue constitution of 1801 also referred to as toussaint louvertures constitution was promulgated on july 8th, 1801 by the governor general toussaint louverture, who sent a letter to napolon on the 1801 constitution accompanying this doc. Louvertures friend, the french colonel vincent, who had been stationed in saint domingue.
The 1805 constitution is therefore an imperial constitution. Hercules, the hydra, and the 1801 constitution of toussaint. One year after its adoption, french forces deported louverture back to france, where he died in 1803. Toussaint louvertures 1801 constitution and the original challenge of black citizenship. In the 1805 constitution of haiti, only blacks could be. Haitian constitution of 1801 english toussaint louvertures constitution. Promulgated by emperor jacques i dessalines the document below was printed in the new york evening post, july 15, 1805. Source of constitutional authority the haitian people proclaim this constitution. After dessaliness death in 1806, the country divided in civil war with a republic in the south and the state of hayti, in the north. In order to maintain french control, in 1801 napoleon bonaparte sent an invasion force, but all attempts failed. Haitian constitution of 1801 university of warwick. In 1801, the rebels of haiti drafted their first constitution based upon american and french models for the island of saintdomingue. The haitian revolution and the 1801 constitution of saintdomingue. Henry christophe, the president of the northern part of haiti, soon proclaimed the kingdom of haiti and took the title king henry of haiti.
This constitution provided for freedom of religion, banned most whites from citizenship or owning land in haiti, and declared all citizens black in an effort to end racism based on lightness of skin. Dec 21, 2015 the 1805 constitution is therefore an imperial constitution. Race and the haitian constitution of 1805 unique at penn. A total of 23 constitutions have been promulgated throughout haitis history, the first of which was promulgated under the shortlived government of thengovernorgeneral toussaint louverture, who had become the leader of the revolutionary forces in the haitian revolution. The document was printed in the new york evening post, july 15, 1805. Inspired by the french revolution, toussaint loverture, a freed slave, led an insurrection in 1791 that put an end to slavery in saint domingue. Home contact us the toussaint louverture historical society, inc. The saintdomingue constitution of 1801 also referred to as toussaint louvertures constitution was promulgated on july 8th, 1801 by the. These revolutionary leaders wrote a new constitution for an independent haiti. The constitution, which is sent to france, sanctions the structures louverture has already set in place, and emphasizes the bourgeois principles of the french revolution.
The university of kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the universitys programs and activities. Constitution of 1801 by haiti 1801 marxists internet archive. The right to own real property is accorded to aliens resident in haiti for the needs of their sojourn in the country. Revision of the haitian constitution of 1806 wikisource. The saintdomingue constitution of 1801 also referred to as. The constitution, which is sent to france, sanctions the structures louverture has already set in place, and emphasizes the bourgeois principles of. Constitution of 1806, for the southern republic of haiti, written largely by alexandre petion. Ten years earlier, in 1791, haiti had launched a revolution against france. Constitutions, lois et education en haiti, 18012011.
Haitis constitution of 1987 with amendments through 2012. Occasional paper university of kansas institute of haitian studies. Constitutions of haiti in 1801, the rebels of haiti drafted their first constitution based upon american and french models for the island of saintdomingue. Jean jacques dessalines he was a leader during the revolution and became the first ruler of the independent haiti under the constitution of 1801. Haitis flag consists of two equal horizontal bands, the top blue and the bottom red. The 1805 constitution of hayti haiti restructured the civil liberties of the people, defined the governments role, and provided the foundation for equality and sovereignty to a subjugated people selfdetermined to form socialautonomy. The reader should note that at this time the entire island of hispaniola was under the rule of haiti hayti, thus the mention of islands that are today part of the dominican republic. In october 1801, a break in the napoleonic wars enabled france to dispatch a new expedition against louverture. Sep 29, 2019 the right to own real property is accorded to aliens resident in haiti for the needs of their sojourn in the country. On february 4, 1801, the seventh anniversary of the abolition of slavery by the national assembly, toussaint louverture convoked a constitutional assembly to write a constitution for saintdomingue, though it was still a colony of france. Uses of property haitieenne be contrary to the general interest. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries. Haitian independence 18041805 1 january 1804 in gonaives, dessalines proclaims haitis independence, signaling the formation of the worlds first black republic.
Their studies have analyzed the major obstacles facing political leaders during this revolutionary period including the limits they faced in applying each constitution across haiti. Information on meetings and developments in the framework of the remjas and the working group on legal cooperation on criminal matters. To guarantee their inalienable and imprescriptible rights to life, to liberty and to the. In the 1805 constitution of haiti, only blacks could be citizens, and whites were prohibited from owning land constitution of saintdomingue 1801. The rebel general was eventually compelled to surrender to the french after.
Louverture did not live to see haiti achieve independence, which the nation declared in 1804. Established toussaint as governor for life and gave. He publishes a declaration of independence, signed by himself and christophe, and the colony saintdomingue is abolished forever. Established toussaint as governor for life and gave him the right to select his successor future governors would be.
Jun 03, 20 in the 1805 constitution of haiti, only blacks could be citizens, and whites were prohibited from owning land constitution of saintdomingue 1801. Thirty 30 days after his election, the president of the republic must deposit with the clerk of the court of first instance of his domicile a notarized inventory of all his movable and immovable goods, and he shall do the same at the end of his term. The saintdomingue constitution of 1801 also referred to as toussaint louvertures constitution was promulgated on july 8th, 1801 by the governor general toussaint louverture, who sent a letter to napoleon on the 1801 constitution accompanying this document. Aug 01, 2019 constitution of 1801 pensions paid by the state cohstitution indexed to the cost of living. The letter and constitution was brought to napoleon bonaparte by toussaint. On article 14 of the haitian constitution, published by jeanjacques dessalines in 1805 based on the draft composed by toussaint louvertoure in 1801, all citizens of the new republic of haiti were declared black, including those white europeans that helped them achieved independence as well as white european women married to locals.
In the 1805 constitution of haiti, only blacks could be citizens. A study of national constitutions, 18011807 by julia gaffield university of toronto the first four national constitutions in haiti 18011807 reflect a complex and contested dialogue among different factions, each trying to define haiti in their own cultural terms. Haitis early constitutions stand as key documents of the atlantic worlds age of revo lutions. The council of state, at an extraordinary meeting held for the purpose of deliberating upon the alterations which it is necessary to introduce in the state of hayti, and on the form of government most suitable thereto. It was transcribed into the version below by bob corbett on april 4, 1999. During the same period, haitian forces also successfully resisted invasions by british and spanish forces seeking to capitalize on the upheaval of the revolution. Jun 14, 20 on article 14 of the haitian constitution, published by jeanjacques dessalines in 1805 based on the draft composed by toussaint louvertoure in 1801, all citizens of the new republic of haiti were declared black, including those white europeans that helped them achieved independence as well as white european women married to locals.
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