Haiti

The Birth of Haiti

Haiti occupies the western third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Haiti’s history is a tragic tale of cruelty, opportunism, and extraordinary heroism. The story begins with a French colony called Saint-Domingue and their importation of enslaved Africans.

French colonists constructed enormous plantations in the fertile Haitian soil. The enslaved Africans were forced to grow sugar cane, tobacco, and coffee for export to France. Hunger and disease were prevalent among the Africans, and violent rebellions were common. In 1791, the Africans revolted under the leadership of Francois Toussaint L’ouverture. Following thirteen years of bitter and bloody battle, the former slaves forced the French to relinquish their colony, but by then, L’ouverture had been captured and imprisoned in France, where he died. In L’ouverture’s absence, Jean-Jacques Dessalines led the Haitian Revolution. On January 1, 1804, Dessalines and the revolutionaries renamed the former colony Haiti, an Arawak word meaning “land of mountains.”

Independence and Isolation

There had been many black kingdoms in Africa, but never before had a black government replaced a white colonial government. Haiti became the first nation in the Americas to abolish slavery. Unfortunately, the revolutionaries who formed the first independent black nation in North America had no experience in government. While the French were in control, Haitian people were not allowed to be educated, so only a few could read or write. Other nations did not recognize the black government, and the income from sugar production was gone because the plantations had been destroyed in the long war.

Political Turmoil and Foreign Intervention

Many power-hungry men who cared little for their people controlled Haiti. From 1908 to 1915, Haiti had fifteen presidents. The United States invaded in 1915 and occupied Haiti for nearly twenty years. A series of strikes and uprisings led to America’s withdrawal in 1934.

The Duvalier Regime

The Duvalier family ruled Haiti from 1957 to 1986. Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier was an admired doctor for treating malaria patients in remote parts of Haiti. Duvalier ran for the presidency and was elected by the largest majority in Haitian history. Once in power, Papa Doc became a dictator. He was raised a Roman Catholic, but Duvalier strengthened his control by publicizing his belief in Voodoo.

Papa Doc created a violent military police force known as the Tonton Macoutes (pronounced TOE-tan mow-COO), who tortured or murdered thousands of his opponents. Victims of the Tonton Macoutes were sometimes left hanging in public as a gruesome warning. Most of Haiti’s educated people fled during Papa Doc’s rule, leaving it the poorest and most illiterate nation in the Western Hemisphere.

From Baby Doc to Modern Crisis

When Papa Doc died in 1971, his 19-year-old son, Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, followed his father into power. Jean-Claude had little interest in governing and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle while his nation lived in poverty, and the Tonton Macoutes continued to brutalize anyone who opposed him. In 1986, the Haitian people revolted. Baby Doc fled to France with millions of dollars from the Haitian treasury. A series of short-lived governments followed, most of which were brutal and incompetent.

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Political Instability

A massive earthquake in 2010 killed more than 200,000 people and left millions homeless. Haiti faced further devastation in 2016 when Hurricane Matthew struck, killing more than 500 people. Another powerful earthquake in 2021 killed more than 2,200 and deepened the nation’s humanitarian crisis.

Since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, Haiti has been governed by a Transitional Presidential Council that took office in April 2024. General elections are scheduled for November 15, 2025.