C. L. R. James, The Black Jacobins ( The War of Independence pp. 281 - 379 ) Chapter 13 - Book Report/Review Example

He divided the campaign into three periods, respectively: (1) Leclerc promised Toussaint everything he asked for to establish the principal points of the country and in exchange of loyalty; (2) Toussaint, Moise and Dessalines would be haunted as traitors and shot if they will not declare loyalty; and (3) The whole population would be disarmed. Bonaparte planned these periods strategically to break the military power of the black, to take advantage of prestige brought by imperialism, and to be ready for the “special laws”.

Bonaparte claimed that he repudiated the idea of restoring slavery and led people to believe that they were only fighting Toussaint – a traitor; however, these were all lies. On February 2, Leclerc with his 5,000 men appeared at the harbor of Le Cap where Christophe were trying to accommodate them. It was just in time when Toussaint appeared and refused preparing quarters for Leclerc’s men. Days of threats by Leclerc were imposed upon Christophe until a war emerged. This had pushed Christophe inhabitants to evacuate the town and succumb to safety.

The devastation of the burning town, the explosion which crushed women and children in the hills, and their unwillingness to follow Toussaint’s order have led them regret not welcoming Leclerc. Toussaint’s hesitation manifested again on his way to Gonaives and had nearly cost his life when he met a French detachment, Christophe, on the other hand, escaped capture and death. History showed that people are also losing faith to Toussaint. He was calling for war against the French but his previous policies were towards conciliation with them.

It was such an easy way for Bonaparte and the French to make Toussaint look like a tyrant who only want to fulfill his ambition and hand over San Domingo to British colony. With a leader that is full of hesitations, comes followers that were also hesitant to accept Leclerc. Much more, it seems