Dessalines, Jean Jacques



c.1758–1806, emperor of Haiti (1804–6), born a slave. A
shrewd general, he served under Toussaint L’Ouverture in the wars that liberated
Haiti. His barbaric cruelty against the mulattoes whom Toussaint was unable to
control led to a bitter struggle with the mulatto leaders André Rigaud and Alexandre
Pétion. In 1802 Dessalines fought brilliantly against the French, whose forces were
led by Gen. Charles Leclerc, earning the nickname of the Tiger. After the decimation
of the French army by yellow fever and the capture of Toussaint, he revolted and
overwhelmed the invaders in 1803. Independence was declared Jan. 1, 1804, at
Gonaïves and Dessalines was chosen governor for life. Later, attempting to emulate
Napoleon, he had himself crowned emperor as Jacques I in an ostentatious ceremony.
In attempting to reorganize the nation’s shattered economy, the ambitious emperor
instituted drastic measures, such as forced labor, and accompanied them with
despotic and cruel acts. He was subsequently ambushed and killed; Henri Christophe
succeeded him in power.

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001.