Haiti
Economics and Geography define a Haiti's past and present
Haiti is best known in America as a magnet for disasters. Hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and governmental coups with expected outcomes visit the nation like old friends. The country is poor, and its infrastructure never seems sufficient to support the people. This results in mass homelessness, disease, and death. From the view of Americans, we respond to the vicious cycle of problems without any way to make a difference.
From the American perspective, the Haitians themselves seem to respond by trying to leave the country. Many ex-pat Haitians in the United States reinforce this view with their comments and actions. But how did Haiti reach this point, and are our assumptions correct? Is Haiti a nation to flee?
Haiti’s Location and effect on its history
Haiti was the location of Columbus’ landing in December of 1492, and the site of the first colony in the New World.
Haiti is on the island of Hispaniola and shares the island with the Dominican Republic. As a result of colonization, Haiti speaks French, and the Dominican Republic speaks Spanish. The Spanish initially colonized the entire island (Hispaniola), but over time, development was ignored because Spain concentrated more on Central and South America, rather than the Caribbean. Hispaniola’s western area, later to become Haiti, was a refueling station for the Spanish and a base for pirates. The pirates were supported by countries that challenged Spain, particularly France. Haiti’s location made it particularly useful as a hub for pirates.
Spain concentrated on the development on the eastern 2/3s of Hispaniola. French colonists and plantation owners settled in the west, where Haiti is now. In 1697 Spain and France agreed to divide the island, and more French settlers moved in.
French Rule
France ruled the nation from 1625 – 1804. Economically, Haiti proved to be extremely valuable. French Sugar Plantations and coffee plantations were successful, and the French imported slaves to work the land. The colony was one of the harshest areas for slaves. Up to 1/3 of the slaves imported died within the first year. And the thirst for slaves was massive here. In the late 1780s, there were 700,000 slaves versus 25,000 Europeans and 22,000 free “colored” – a euphemism for mixed-race free people. The mountainous terrain of the north allowed some slaves to escape to the mountains and set up free enclaves.
The French Revolution in 1789 encouraged the Haitian independence movement based on the revolution's goals. By 1791, slave armies established a government in northern Haiti, under the rule of Toussaint Louverture. General Louverture was the leader of the Haiti Independence movement. In 1792, France abolished slavery in all colonies. In respect for the order, General Louverture pledged allegiance to France. The revolutionaries then helped France to expel British and Spanish armies.
But the partnership was short-lived. When Napoléon came to power in 1802, he sent an expedition to Haiti to abolish the rebellion. His forces were defeated, and Haiti gained full independence. It is one of the very few successful slave rebellions.
Post Independence
The United States did not recognize the country in 1804 because Thomas Jefferson was concerned that the new nation would encourage slave revolts in the United States. The United States government's position towards Haiti vacillated with depending on which administration was in power. Recognition from the US did not come until 1861, after the slave states left for the confederacy. By the time of recognition, many Haitian White plantation owners and free “People of Color” from Haiti had left in the 1800s and 1810s, often settling in New Orleans.
The European Empires echoed the hesitancy of the United States. Any recognition of the new country would encourage other revolutions, so the country was shunned. International powers still fought for influence, even though they often did not recognize the republic.
By 1897, Germany had forced Haiti to accept a de facto German colony due to gunboat diplomacy. The United States tried to force Haiti to allow a US naval site but was rebuffed. Banks were happy to work with Haiti despite international governmental hesitancy to engage. By the end of the century, Haiti was heavily in debt to France, Germany, and the United States.
In 1915, the United States was so concerned about German influence in the country, that the US made a series of moves to counter foreign (non-US) influence. In 1914, the United States took $500,000 from the Haiti National Bank and kept it in New York. This gave the United States control of the Haitian money, which provided a stable economic base. This created the benefit that led to most American lenders being paid.
In 1915, a series of internal power struggles rocked the Haitian government. After two governments fell, the United States occupied the country on the stated basis that an anti-American was going to take over. The United States occupied the country from 1915 to 1934. While the United States and US-supported Haitian politicians increased infrastructure and governance, they were colonial rulers during this time and not well-loved. When the US left in 1934, the government of the Dominican Republic on the west side of the island pushed out Haitians living in its eastern mountains. The Dominican soldiers bludgeoned and bayonetted some 20 – 30,000 Haitians over 4 days.
A series of strong man governments ruled and were overthrown every few years for over a decade. In 1950, a stable Haitian government came into power. From 1950 – 1956, this government worked with the United States to encourage American tourists to visit the island. In 1957, this ended abruptly as the government changed again.
Papa and Baby Doc
A new and famous set of dictators took over in 1957. The first was the famous “Papa Doc” Duvaller. He ruled as President for Life with an iron fist and executed any dissenter. Despite his gruesome tactics, he was a self-proclaimed anti-Communist, and the United States supported him. In 1971, Papa Doc died, and government control passed to his son, “Baby Doc” Duvaller. He tried a less fearsome rule of Haiti and attempted to bring back tourism.
Baby Doc was overthrown in 1986, and the Americans flew him to exile in France. He was pushed to leave Haiti by the United States to stop an ongoing civil war on the island that started a year earlier. Since his ouster, a series of coups, elections, and foreign interference have derailed the government’s ability to succeed.
Nature Strikes Often
Since 2004 a series of disasters have hit the island. Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike all took a terrible toll on the island and its people. In 2010 a 7.1 earthquake hit and left between 160,000 and 300,000 dead. In addition to those killed during the earthquake, another 10,000 Haitians had died and another million were made ill by a cholera outbreak as a result of the earthquake damage.
In 2017, after multiple changes in government, Jovenel Moïse was elected President. Six months later protests against high fuel prices began and ended with people calling for the resignation of Moïse. In 2021, he was assassinated and a new President was installed.
Yet less than a month later, another massive earthquake hit the country. The quake destroyed more infrastructure and reinforced gang violence and chaos. Since 2021, the country has had no government, President, Parliament, and a dysfunctional high court.
Future Outlook
The future does not look good for Haiti. Poverty is widespread and the gangs still rule unfettered. To the outside world, and the United States’ population, aid to Haiti seems to go into a black hole. Therefore, foreign governments have stopped or reduced their support. Without a government to work with, foreign aid comes from individuals and non-profits. Recent kidnappings threaten that even that work.
Couple that with how climate change impacts Haiti more than most other countries. Hurricanes and tropical storms are frequent and getting more deadly year by year. Earthquakes, although not tied to climate change, occur with alarming frequency. And the world responds by ignoring the problems here, as it is seen important corner of an unimportant area.
Haiti is a failed state without enough importance for the world to address. I don’t see that changing as the world gets lost in “bigger” problems.