Authority Quote by Napoleon Bonaparte
“My decision to destroy the authority of the blacks in Saint Domingue (Haiti) is not so much based on considerations of commerce and money, as on the need to block for ever the march of the blacks in the world.”
About This Quote
Napoleon justified his brutal suppression of Haitian revolutionaries as a strategic move to prevent the spread of Black autonomy worldwide, prioritizing racial hierarchy over economic gain.
In simple terms: Racial domination over profit
Key Takeaway
Colonial fear of Black empowerment
Themes
colonialism
race
power
imperialism
fear of uprising
Mood
ominous
authoritarian
historical
Type
political statement
historical commentary
When to use this quote
- colonial administration
- military campaigns
- international diplomacy
- revolutionary movements
Key Concepts
authoritarian control
racial hierarchy
geopolitical strategy
Practical Applications
- historical analysis of colonial policies
- educational curricula on slavery
Questions to Reflect On
- How did racial prejudice shape colonial decisions?
- What are the long‑term effects of suppressing revolutions?
A Different Perspective
The quote reflects a racist worldview that ignores the humanity and agency of the Haitian people, reducing them to a threat to be eliminated.
![“If you love Black people, why are you destroying Haiti? If you love Black people, why did you, [Hillary] Clinton, stop them from the rice that they were producing in Haiti to feed themselves and other Caribbean nations? You put the rice industry out of business; and now rice is coming from…” quote by Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f80/louis-farrakhan-1264_arkansas_if-you-love-black-people-why-are-you-des_2026475.jpg)
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)