Jean-Jacques Dessalines was a very strong and empowered leader during the Haitian revolution, evidently leading Haiti to its independence from the French Rule in 1804. In his proclamation “Liberty or Death” he explains what drove him to commit such acts by showing the reader how what he did was not so different from the acts of the French. His way of going about things was basically fighting fire with fire, returning the same amount of crime and hateful actions to their oppressors. He reminds his people of the terrible events that occurred by stating “Guadeloupe, pillaged and destroyed: Its victims still reeking of blood of the children, women and old men put to sword”(38). By using these choice of words Dessalines paints a picture for the reader of the evils that come with the French. Shortly after having said this Dessalines states “our daggers are sharpened; your punishment is ready! Sixty thousand men, equipped, inured to war…” (38). Again going back to this idea of taking a stand to the oppressors that ruled over them letting everyone know that they will do what it takes.

This proclamation in whole is an inspiration to those being oppressed, giving hope and reassuring them that it is okay to fight back. It gives off the idea that it is okay to commit such acts because as the ones being oppressed you’re granted the right to return what has been given to you. Dessalines made it clear that it doesn’t matter what race one might be as long as there is peace amongst them they may all live as one.