Throughout the world various rebellions were happening for various reasons and they all were conducted in their own unique way. In “Freedom’s Mirror” Ada Ferrer looks at different points of anti-slavery rebellions that occurred in Cuba and Haiti and how they were linked together. Since Haiti was the first black led country and independent state founded by former slaves it is crucial that all aspects of the rebellions are taken into consideration. Several power imbalances are vividly compared as well especially while discussing Jose Antonio Aponte’s trial.
The book focuses on the events leading up to the Haitian Revolution as well as the aftermath which includes “the political, diplomatic and intellectual effects of having an independent black state.” (Ferrer, 14) I will be narrowing my focus down to chapter seven “a black kingdom of this work: history and revolution in Havana, 1812” which examines the infamous movement led by Jose Antonio Aponte, a free carpenter. This chapter helps Ferrer explore her larger argument in the sense that this anti-colonial movement shows the lasting effects of the independent state. …show more content…
She begins the chapter by discussing the outline of the rebellion and what steps Aponte and his men would take to achieve their goals. Since the rebellion led by Aponte was focused on the anti-slavery regime it ties in with the Haitian Revolution since this was a direct result from it. It was an inspiration for Aponte, “though it was violently defeated, Aponte’s movement provides invaluable insight into the Age of Revolution.” (Ferrer, 275) Aponte’s revolution aids towards a better understanding of how crucial the resistance of slavery was.
Sources are crucial to understanding historical events and even just the past in general. The main source that Ferrer uses in this chapter is the book “The 1812 Aponte Rebellion” written by Matt Childs which uses Aponte’s book of illustrations as a main arguing point. The images “emerge as a critical engagement with the news and visual representations then circulating in Havana” (Ferrer, 321) which shows that they all had a greater and deeper meaning behind them. Those meanings were picked at and looked upon by Ferrer. Additionally, “libros de pinturas” by Aponte held crucial details which were very valuable towards to anti-slavery movement. It included various rebellious ideas which were ideally not to be shared, let alone, be advertised to the public since the anti-slavery movements were highly controversial at the time. Aponte’s book was hidden for a reason because along with Aponte, others knew that “its contents might be read as subversive or dangerous.” (Ferrer, 300) The book outlined various notions about rebellious acts. Then when Aponte was being prosecuted, his statements were not seen as concrete evidence for many reasons. This is because “when Aponte told his own tales of African power and might- first in pictures then in judicial testimony- authorities did doubt his account.” (Ferrer, 308) Thus, without direct physical evidence, like the book, his accounts were basically invalid to the judge. Ferrer is careful to use this book as a primary source for her research thus she uses a secondary source to reveal notions regarding this lost book. Moreover, testimonies of various people who were a part or affiliated with the rebellion including Clemente Chacon. These testimonies serve as primary sources which allows readers to get an insider look at what actually occurred during the time of the rebellion as well as how these specific rebels and historians were portrayed. Therefore, historians must be cautious when choosing sources for their research since a lot of crucial information and details could be deliberately left out for political, economic and social reasons. Violence is discussed in quite some detail in chapter seven due to the severity of events that occurred during the rebellion. Specifically, near the end of the chapter, Ferrer discusses the legal repercussions that were announced for Aponte and his men. Ferrer goes on to explain that “the public declaration that Someruelos issued to announce Aponte’s sentence was profoundly violent.” (Ferrer, 324) The brutality of these acts catches the attention of readers since it goes to show how negatively the actions of Aponte were seen. Even though Aponte had his own justifications, the judge saw him as
The book focuses on the events leading up to the Haitian Revolution as well as the aftermath which includes “the political, diplomatic and intellectual effects of having an independent black state.” (Ferrer, 14) I will be narrowing my focus down to chapter seven “a black kingdom of this work: history and revolution in Havana, 1812” which examines the infamous movement led by Jose Antonio Aponte, a free carpenter. This chapter helps Ferrer explore her larger argument in the sense that this anti-colonial movement shows the lasting effects of the independent state. …show more content…
She begins the chapter by discussing the outline of the rebellion and what steps Aponte and his men would take to achieve their goals. Since the rebellion led by Aponte was focused on the anti-slavery regime it ties in with the Haitian Revolution since this was a direct result from it. It was an inspiration for Aponte, “though it was violently defeated, Aponte’s movement provides invaluable insight into the Age of Revolution.” (Ferrer, 275) Aponte’s revolution aids towards a better understanding of how crucial the resistance of slavery was.
Sources are crucial to understanding historical events and even just the past in general. The main source that Ferrer uses in this chapter is the book “The 1812 Aponte Rebellion” written by Matt Childs which uses Aponte’s book of illustrations as a main arguing point. The images “emerge as a critical engagement with the news and visual representations then circulating in Havana” (Ferrer, 321) which shows that they all had a greater and deeper meaning behind them. Those meanings were picked at and looked upon by Ferrer. Additionally, “libros de pinturas” by Aponte held crucial details which were very valuable towards to anti-slavery movement. It included various rebellious ideas which were ideally not to be shared, let alone, be advertised to the public since the anti-slavery movements were highly controversial at the time. Aponte’s book was hidden for a reason because along with Aponte, others knew that “its contents might be read as subversive or dangerous.” (Ferrer, 300) The book outlined various notions about rebellious acts. Then when Aponte was being prosecuted, his statements were not seen as concrete evidence for many reasons. This is because “when Aponte told his own tales of African power and might- first in pictures then in judicial testimony- authorities did doubt his account.” (Ferrer, 308) Thus, without direct physical evidence, like the book, his accounts were basically invalid to the judge. Ferrer is careful to use this book as a primary source for her research thus she uses a secondary source to reveal notions regarding this lost book. Moreover, testimonies of various people who were a part or affiliated with the rebellion including Clemente Chacon. These testimonies serve as primary sources which allows readers to get an insider look at what actually occurred during the time of the rebellion as well as how these specific rebels and historians were portrayed. Therefore, historians must be cautious when choosing sources for their research since a lot of crucial information and details could be deliberately left out for political, economic and social reasons. Violence is discussed in quite some detail in chapter seven due to the severity of events that occurred during the rebellion. Specifically, near the end of the chapter, Ferrer discusses the legal repercussions that were announced for Aponte and his men. Ferrer goes on to explain that “the public declaration that Someruelos issued to announce Aponte’s sentence was profoundly violent.” (Ferrer, 324) The brutality of these acts catches the attention of readers since it goes to show how negatively the actions of Aponte were seen. Even though Aponte had his own justifications, the judge saw him as