The History of Haiti

Haiti has traditionally been one of the poorest countries in the world. Part of the reason for the lack of economic disenfranchisement can be attributed to a history dominated by dictators and corrupt officials. General unrest and upheaval seems to be a constant state for this small country not far away from the wealth and riches of the United States.

Slave Revolt

The Republic of Haiti was established as the result of a slave rebellion in the early 1800s. The revolt actually began with the abolition of slavery following the French Revolution in 1789. Led by an ex-slave named Toussaint L'Overture, the rebellion successfully defeated the French soldiers and independence was finally proclaimed in 1804 by Jean Jacques Dessalines.

Division

Dessalines named himself emperor, but was assassinated in 1806. At this point, the country was officially divided into a monarchy in the north and a republic in the south. Both sections returned the ownership of vast plantations to former slaves and the country's economy was dominated by agriculture.

Reunification

The north and south were reunified in 1820 under the leadership of Jean Pierre Boyer. Two years later, Haiti conquered what is now the Dominican Republic. For the next two decades, the entire island was a single republic.

Empire

Haiti became a short-lived empire in 1849 when President Faustin Elie Soulouque declared himself Emperor Faustin I. A revolution headed by Nicholas Fabre Geffrard quickly re-established the republic, but the stage was set for a long period instability within the country that lasted until 1915, when the assassination of President Vilbrun Guillaume Sam resulted in a period of U.S. military occupation.

Post-Occupation

The election President Sténio Vincent and the adoption of a new constitution resulted in relative stability for Haiti throughout the Depression and World War II. A depression specific to Haiti was brought on as the result of coup in 1950 that seated military general Paul Magloire to power. After Magloire was forced into exile, the country underwent another short period of instability before it entered its most notorious period.

Duvalier

In 1957, Francois Duvalier was elected president. Nicknamed Papa Doc, Duvalier installed himself as a dictator in in 1958. Duvalier was ruthless in enforcing his rule and protecting his position. Opposition leaders were exiled or imprisoned and Duvalier passed his power to his son when he died in 1971. Baby Doc Duvalier proved to be less effectual than his father, but still maintained power until he was forced to flee in 1986.

Aristide

Hope for a return to a Haitian republic seemed to be realized with the election of Jean-Paul Aristide in 1990, but he'd been ousted by yet another military coup. Aristide was placed back into power due to military and political intervention by the UN and U.S. President Bill Clinton. Legally barred from seeking a second term, he was replaced with the election of Rene Preval in 1995. Aristide has ever since been influential in the political process of the country.