Haiti

=__//**Political Chaos **//____//** Haiti 1945-1990 **//__=





=-[|Timeline]=

__//** BACKGROUND **//__

Haiti is a nation located on half of the island of Hispaniola. This island is located in the Caribbean Sea. Originally, Christopher Columbus claimed this land as the island of Hispaniola. Later, at 1697, the colony split into a half Spanish, half French controlled region. For the next century, St. Dominique was France’s most important supplier of cotton, rum, sugar and coffee. In 1838, the French decided to recognize Haiti’s independence. Most nations, including the United States, did not acknowledge their independence for the following 40 years. By 1934, the United States withdrew the United States marines and their occupation in Haiti since 1915. Three years later, thousands of Haitian peasants who lived near the Dominican Republic came under fire of the new Haitian National Guard. These actions led to the current military situation in Haiti.

Haiti is a country whose population is very poor. The living conditions are horrible by our standards. The people there live in grass huts with no running water. The children gather together, but there is no formal educational system.
 * //__ SOCIETY __//**

__//**MILITARY DICTATORSHIPS**//__

[|Dictatorship and Papa Doc][| Duvalier] From 1945 to 1990, a dictatorship was formed and continued under the reign of [|Francois Duvalier]. The more common name of this dictator was Papa Doc. He then became the head of the Haitian government and ruled with an iron fist. Papa Doc quickly became feared by the citizens of Haiti. For his own protection, he surrounded himself with guards known as “[|Ton Ton Macoutes]”. Anyone who defied his orders was immediately sentenced to death! From 1957-1971, his military murdered between 20,000 and 50,000 citizens of Haiti. During his rule, Duvalier left his country, with little technology, research, education and health care options. At this time, one-fifth of the citizens in Haiti lived in political or economic exile. (webster.edu)

[|Francois Duvalier] -- Ton Ton Macoutes





[|BABY DOC Duvalier] [|Baby Doc] was Papa docs son. after Papa Doc died Baby Doc had to take over. he ruled since April 21, 1971. When Baby Doc took over after his fathers' death, he made small changes within the regime. However, he continued to use violence against the people in Haiti and was very involved in the drug trade. He also lived a very wealthy lifestyle while the majority of the country was very poor. The relationship that Haiti had with the United States improved under Baby Doc's leadership, but that was only temporary. He later fled Haiti and was eventually charged with corruption, embezzlement and human rights abuse.

--Baby Doc

There have been many invasions in Haiti during this time. The first invasion happened in June 28, 1958. This was when eight men or rebels invaded 40 miles outside of Port-au-Prince. When they chose to unload their weapons, a policeman was shot. The terrorists hijacked a taxi bus and were able to disarm the sleepy soldiers before the military could find out. At this point the military moved all their weapons to a secret spot. The rebels did not realize this. During this time, President Duvalier had fled the country. Then Duvalier had sent the army of soldiers after the rebels who were all killed.(Webster.edu).

Another invasion in Haiti happened on August 12, 1959. This was an attempt by the group called Creole to eliminate Papa Doc and his dictatorship in Haiti. The invaders had armed weapons and came ashore at Les Irois.

__//** ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS **//__

As far as economics, Haiti continues to struggle. The country does not have a significant export that they can rely on for economic stability. The main source of economic stability comes from the production and export of tobacco. The Duvalier family invested in the tobacco monopoly in Haiti which has brought them great wealth. The people of Haiti, however, have not benefitted as well financially from the tobacco industry. Other items that Haiti relies on for exportation include mangoes, cacao and coffee. The tropical climate in Haiti makes this an ideal location to grow these products. Haiti also relies heavily on foreign aid to sustain their existence. Approximately 30% - 40% of the national governments budget comes from foreign countries.