Once the term “slave” was replaced with the euphemism “unfree person” the decree was passed. After two years, all attempts to end the slave trade and slavery in the National Assembly had failed. Had it not been for the revolt that soon erupted in Saint-Domingue, the French Revolution would probably have run its course, like the American Revolution, without destroying the massive violation of human rights at the heart of the nation’s existence.

Dubois, Laurent, Avengers of the New World_ …, loc. 128