Haiti began as a French colony of Saint-Domingue. The island was full of plantations and the slaves who worked there. Nearly a decade and a half after its settlement, this colony pioneered many changes throughout the French Empire and many other slave nations. Through its difficult struggle, we examine whether the Santo Domingo slave revolt, which began in the late 16th century, was justifiable and whether its outcome, the creation of the free nation of Haiti, was a success. The slave insurrection began in August 1791 in Saint-Domingue. Although many conflicts had broken out in Martinique and Guadeloupe a few years earlier, they were not as well coordinated and massive. Not expecting so many to arrive and attack immediately, the white planters were overwhelmed. A French force of fifty thousand experienced soldiers arrives on the coast of Saint-Domingue. Unwilling to give up their freedom and return to their previous servitude, the Africans of the colony defended themselves. Aided by yellow fever and other diseases, they are a force to be trifled with. In November of the following year, France surrendered and within three months Jean-Jacques Dessalines declared independence from France and the new nation of Haiti was created. Frederick Douglass attributes their great success to the Negroes themselves and their manhood, courage, and military prowess in his Lecture on Haiti of 1893. He even solidifies these claims by pointing out how their intelligence and courage have preserved their independence since 1804, nearly ninety years . before his lesson. At this point, Haiti has existed for nearly a century, and its supporters and opponents debate whether the Haitian Revolution was a success or not. Citizens are labeled as lazy and superstitious, stereotyped into that neat little box with no room for movement. Douglass agrees that they may be a little lazy and ignorant, but they are not always idle. At this point, Haiti is thriving on the coffee economy and continues to import and export goods from its borders. It is important to recognize that this nation and its citizens were the first to fight for and achieve their emancipation. The slave revolution in the former French colony of Saint-Domingue was a historic event that brought universal freedoms as other nations followed suit. In solidarity the slaves took up arms and fought until their chains broke. This should vindicate Haiti, at least in Douglass's eyes. She believes that even though she hasn't reached her full potential yet, she will become one