Analysis of America's Refusal to Recognize Haiti

The American Revolution was influenced by the enlightenment ideals of liberty and equality, and was supposedly fought for "liberty and justice for all." However, a true analysis of America's interpretation of "freedom" reveals America’s hypocrisy and abuse of the concept of freedom. Early American leaders had the audacity to support the idea of "freedom", yet pick it apart and choose those aspects that supported their campaigns for power. American colonists declared independency from Britain on the basis of freedom for all, yet early America refused to grant its people the very thing upon which the country it founded. Thomas Jefferson's refusal to acknowledge Haiti as an independent nation is the epitome of America's abuse of the concept of freedom. While they treasured freedom and used it as an excuse to gain independence from Britain, Americans threw the idea to the side when in conflicted with their economic interests. Jefferson (a slave owner himself) wrote, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," (Declaration of Independence , 1776) yet his blatant ignorance to the rights of slaves proves his abuse of the term "freedom." Jefferson's clear gap in morals and in the belief of freedom suggests that his use of the term in the Declaration of Independence was merely an excuse for America to argue its independence and ensure it's economic stability. When Jefferson refused to acknowledge free slaves in Haiti, he became the ultimate hypocrite; one that praised freedom, but cast away the idea on which his country was founded for the preservation wealth and power.

*Image is an American comic that, in defense of slavery, depicted the concept as "fun" for slaves. -http://www.slaveryinamerica.org/scripts/sia/gallery.cgi?collection=politicsdefense

Flaws in Federalist Policy

Although the Federalist party had great ideas about regulating the nations economy, it's unwillingness to equally serve the American population led to it's downfall. Many great economic ideas and institutions came from the Federalist party, such as the Federal bank, and a national assumption of debt. The federalists recognized the importance of industry in the American economy, and did everything in their power to ensure a commercial-based economy, and a strong central government. However, federalist leaders such as Alexander Hamilton directed their focus on the wealthy, and almost didn't care about the poor. Hamilton wanted the government to be run by the wealthy, and give the middle classes less of a say in things. "Give therefore to the first class a distinct, permanent share in the government." (Hamilton-1787) Although the upper class was more organized and educated (and perhaps more capable of running the government), Hamilton forgot that the U.S. government was one that was "for the people and by the people." He refused to give each social class an equal part in the government and by doing so, contradicted the ideas upon which the U.S. was founded. Hamilton's severe policies were unjust and as a result he made many political enemies. The Republican ideas served America's entire population, and therefore appealed to more people than the Federalist policies did. It was this severe neglect of the rights of middle and lower class America that eventually led to the Federalist's loss of power and disappearance from politics.

Role of Satire in the Enlightenment

During the enlightenment, speaking out against the Church or State was strictly forbidden. However, the 'philosophes' brilliantly used satire as a way to evade these rules and indirectly express their beliefs. The use of satirical writing allowed great thinkers to freely express their ideas, and without it the societal development made during the enlightenment would have been hindered. Like Voltaire, many philosophers were severely punished for speaking out against traditional beliefs and practices of the Church and State. This punishment would have continued and most likely discouraged many people from accepting and expanding on ideas of the enlightenment if it weren't for satire; a way to avoid anti-sedition laws, and educate the public. Great writers such as de Montesquieu and de Fontanelle produced witty, satirical works that indirectly spoke against common belief and informed the public of ideas of the enlightenment. These works spoke out against despotism and encouraged people to think critically and most importantly, objectively. Without forms of satire such as novels, plays, and letters, this crucial information could not have been conveyed to the public. Satire was an extremely important tool for educating the masses, one without which social progress couldn't have been as easily made. Ultimately satire was the savior of truth, and finally allowed the people of the world to be exposed the revolutionary ideas of the enlightenment.