HI Professor!
This is my tumblr project, the posts got published in a kind of wonky order- sorry.
American History Project
History 120
Republicanism and latin america:
notes, thoughts, and some things I found
Republicanism and latin america:
notes, thoughts, and some things I found
Makandal was an enslaved African from the Congo kidnapped to Haiti who escaped and led the pivotal guerilla warfare against the European tribes forty years before the August 14, 1791 Bwa Kayiman gathering that began the Haiti revolution. Makandal had special knowledge of herbal cures, was a griot and could read, write and speak Arabic fluently, not to mention French. Makandal brilliantly organized both the maroons and the enslaved Africans to liberate Haiti. In 1751, he led the attack and prophecied that slavery and colonialism would end and all black worldwide would become free. Haiti became free on Jan. 1, 1804.
(source)
Today In Latin American History
On the afternoon of March 26, 1812, the city of Caracas suffered a devastating earthquake which caused considerable damage and took the lives of thousands of people. The earthquake occurred at a time when the region was fighting for independence from Spain, and was deemed a punishment from God by the Spanish Catholic clergy which supported the colonial government. The painting above, depicting the earthquake’s damage, was completed in 1929 by Tito Salas.
(Source: fylatinamericanhistory)
—Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle (1839).
Darwin first visited the Falklands in March 1833, a few months after the British reestablished control over the archipelago.
It’s difficult to knit together all the little scraps of history that I’ve learned over the years into a working concept of time, all kinds of things happening at once across oceans and over mountains, but all interconnected. It’s fantastic, but it’s a little like holding dozens of threads and trying not to let them tangle as you weave them in the right pattern.
(via fylatinamericanhistory)
Haitian Revolution: Toussaint Louverture | Watch Free Documentary Online
(Source: the42towels)
12 months ago - 
8
8 Toussaint-Louverture (May 20, 1743 – April 7, 1803) was the leader of the Haitian Revolution. His military genius and political acumen led to the establishment of the independent black state of Haiti, transforming an entire society of slaves into a free, self-governing people.[1] The success of the Haitian Revolution shook the institution of slavery throughout the New World.[2]
(Source: kreendreem)
The God who made the sun that shines upon us, who causes the sea to rise, the thunder to roar. Do you hear me? All of you. Hidden in the clouds, God witnesses the atrocities the whites commit against us. The god of the whites sanctions their crimes and doesn’t care about us. But God, who is so good, orders us to avenge ourselves. He will direct our arms and stands beside us. Destroy the image of the white men’s god who is thirsty for our blood and tears. Listen to the voice of freedom rising in our heart.
Boukman, a Voodoo priest who on August 14, 1791, with an African-born Voodoo priestess, conducted a ceremony at the Bois Caiman which sparked the beginning of the “Haitian Revolution”. Boukman began his famous ceremony by asking for God’s help to defeat White Supremacist (Racist) “slavemasters”.
Boukman was a Hougan, or Voodoo priest, whose death was considered a catalyst to the slave uprising that marked the beginning of the Haitian Revolution. Boukman was born in Jamaica and later sold by his British to a French plantation owner, who put him as commander(slave driver) and later a coach driver. His name came from his English nickname “Book Man” which he earned due to his ability to read.
(via codelens)(Source: hougansydney.com, via codelens)
Letter from George Washington to James McHenry
TRANSCRIPT GLC 581 George Washington. Autograph letter signed: Mount Vernon, to James McHenry, 1798 Sept. 30. 3 p.
Mount Vernon 30 Sep 1798.
Dear Sir,
I have lately received information, which, in my opinion, merits attention. It is that the brawlers against Governmental measures in some of the most discontented parts of this state, have, all of a sudden, become silent; and; it is added, are very desirous of obtaining Commissions in the Army, about to be raised.
This information did not fail to leave an impression upon my mind at the time I received it, but it has acquired strength from a publication I have lately seen in one of the Maryland Gazettes (between the Author of which and my informant, there could have been no interchange of sentiments) to the same effect.
The motives ascribed [inserted: to them] are, that [2] in such a situation they would endeavour to divide, & contaminate the Army, by artful & seditious discourses, and perhaps at a critical moment, bring on confusion. What weight to give these conjectures you can judge of as well as I. But, as there will be characters enough of an opposite description, who are ready to receive appointments, circumspection is necessary; for my opinion of the first are, that you could as soon scrub the blackamore white, as to change the principles of a profest Democrat; and that he will leave nothing unattempted to overturn the Government of this Country.
Finding the resentment of the People at the conduct of France too strong to be resisted, they have, inappearance, adopted their senitments; and pretend that, not withstanding the misconduct of Government have brought it upon us, yet, if an Invasion should take place, it will be found that they will be among the [3] first to defend it. This is their story at all Elections, and Election meetings, and told in many instances with effect.
Whether [inserted: there] be little, much, or nothing in the information, I shall not take upon me to decide; but it appeared to me to be of sufficient moment to apprise you thereof.
With esteem & reg[ar]d
I am – Dear Sir Your Obed[ien]t H[um]ble Serv[an]t Go: Washington
The Secretary of War.
Notes: Published in Fitzpatrick, 36: 474-475. Washington writes to James McHenry, Secretary of War, that he fears a French invasion and a possible war with France in the wake of the “X, Y, Z Affair” and French dissatisfaction with the Jay Treaty.
It’s weird to realize that for however long I’ve been taught US history, every time it’s been a repetition of basically this very limited, very pro-American “perfection”, story. Getting Betsy Ross sewing flags and Washington crossing the Delaware, or even Franklin and his printing presses is not getting the whole story. The blatant racism is shocking, but only in that it’s obviously been completely ignored in our education. In my public school education native americans were largely ignored except a couple instances where they fought against european settlers or guided Lewis & Clarke. Black slaves were not even mentioned until antebellum, and only really, as a campaign tool for federalists, making the states’ rights issue about slavery (which, by the way, is a clever strategy).
