Napoleon Restores Slavery

May 20, 1802

In a single decree, the First Consul undid the Revolution's boldest promise and reimposed slavery in the French colonies. In Guadeloupe, Louis Delgres blew himself up rather than submit. In Saint-Domingue, the news reached Toussaint Louverture's generals and the war for Haiti began in earnest. Napoleon sent his brother-in-law Leclerc with twenty thousand troops to crush the rebellion; yellow fever and Haitian resistance destroyed the expedition.