1794 and 1802 France and Slavery
This might be of interest to some:
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Slavery was first abolished in France in 1794, then definitively abolished in 1848.
On 4 February 1794, the First Republic (Convention) voted for the abolition of slavery in all French colonies. The abolition decree stated that "the Convention declares the slavery of the Blacks abolished in all the colonies; consequently, all men, irrespective of colour, living in the colonies are French citizens and will enjoy all the rights provided by the Constitution."
Restored by the Consulate in 1802, slavery was definitively abolished in 1848 by the Second Republic, on Victor Schoelcher’s initiative.(
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However it appears that 1802 "restoration" was ONLY pertinent to French colonies invovled in growing sugarcane.
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1802 The First Consul Napoleon re-introduces slavery on French colonies growing sugarcane.(
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And also:
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May 20 – By the Law of 20 May 1802, Napoleon Bonaparte reinstates slavery in the French colonies, revoking its abolition in the French Revolution.(
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What did such mean for the Colony of Louisiana? Could there be some series of events which in the U.S. which mirrored these abolitions in France? Isn't it interesting that slavery was "reinstated" in 1802..just before 1803 (the Louisiana Purchase)?
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1762: Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762) signed, by which France secretly ceded Louisiana to Spain
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1763: Treaty of Paris signed by which France ceded the east side of the Mississippi and Canada to Great Britain prompting a Cajun migration to French controlled New Orleans and the west side of the river. Louisiana, including New Orleans is ceded to Spain.
