Research Paper On Haiti Now By Alex Lizzappi

Unlike most of Latin America, Haiti’s main colonizing power was France, not Spain or Portugal, after France was given one-third of Hispaniola. To this day you can see the lasting effects of colonialism in Haiti especially in comparison to the Dominican Republic which shares the same island. While Haiti, formerly Saint Domingue under French control, was at one time the world’s wealthiest sugar and coffee producer, the tides have changed in terms of Haiti’s economy and it is now one of the worst off in terms of measurement of GDP per capita and income inequality. This change largely took place after the Haitian revolution, which transformed Haiti’s economy to a rural subsistence economy, instead of the capital-intensive plantation economy it had been. As other states, including neighboring DR, developed competitive commodity industries, Haiti never jumped on that export-led growth path and there was overall less investment making its way to Haiti in comparison to other states in the region. Also, Haiti was not a part of the “Golden Age” period of Latin America from 1950-1973. With a brief understanding of Haiti’s background, a more solid understanding of their economic performance, challenges, assets and current conditions can be developed further.

The Haitian Revolution was a slave rebellion against French Colonial powers which turned out to be successful. A first republic ruled by blacks was created in Haiti because of the revolution. Haiti at that time was known as French Saint-Domingue which was one of the most creative and productive colony of Europe of its day. Ancestors of Africa freed themselves from slavery and from the French colonization throughout the revolution. The only revolt which turned out to be successful was the revolt on Saint-Domingue apart from the other rebellions that turned out to be futile. Haiti was ruled by the people of African ancestry which was the first republic in modern history. It was French colony at first but afterwards it started to command and rule itself.

Haiti was unstable in politics and economic state of affairs that made them defenseless. At this time, the Haitians were standing up for their culture and for their land they believed to have called their home. According to Delgado, and the context groundings, the definition of Cultural Assets is “fundamental belief that all human groups possess some form of assets or strengths as well as needs” Delgado (2007). Their main objective was to restore their national sovereignty. The economy plummeted and the nation began to suffer. This was how the history of Haiti was generated.

Haiti was once the first black independent republic in the world and the richest island in the Caribbean. Today Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and one of the poorest countries in the world. What could have happened to Haiti in almost two hundred years of history? The country experienced repeated civil war and foreign intervention. Haiti is not isolated from the international world. Thus, it was not out of concern for ordinary Haitians that the United States intervened in Haiti. It was out of concern for profit and stability within the United States' own backyard. The purpose of this paper is to show the negative aspect that the United States had played in the government of Haiti.

The Republic of Haiti has a unique and vibrant culture. It was once hailed as the "Pearl of the Antilles" for being the wealthiest colony in the world. This small Latin American island tells a story of slaves enduring resistance to the some of the most dominant forces abroad. In 1804, Haiti became the first free black republic and the second post-colonial country in the Americas. However, the days of being the wealthiest colony have since passed. Haiti is now considered to be the most impoverished country in the western hemisphere. The proud history of this country is overshadowed by alarming rates of poverty, violence, and inequality. This island nation’s government has been plagued with numerous military staged coups and misfortunes. I

One of the greatest challenges I had to face was my transition from Haiti to the United States. During that transition, I was faced with a lot of adversity. It varied from fitting in, academic struggles and remaining focus. Throughout all the trials and tribulations that came with it, I was able to be resilient. In my own words, to be resilient is to allow challenges to impact me in a positive way where at the end I can say I am an overcomer.

Haiti is located in the Caribbean between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. It is located west of the Dominican Republic on the western third of Hispaniola.This means that Haiti is bordered by water on three out of its four sides. The terrain of Haiti is mostly mountainous. Elevation ranges from 0 meters at the Caribbean Sea to 2,680 meters at Chaine de la Selle. The land area is 27,560 square kilometers which makes Haiti slightly smaller in size than Maryland. With a population of 10,485,800 people the distribution is relatively even. However, there are higher concentrations of people located along the coastlines. (CIA, 2017)

The country that I chose to research for my paper is Haiti. Haiti is located in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Haiti shares the Island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. The capital of Haiti is Port-au-Prince, and the population is 9,996,731. Haiti has two official languages French and Haitian Creole. About 2.1 million people of the population live in Port-Au-Prince, which makes the capital an extremely congested city.

A week after Hurricane Matthew, a storm that struck on October third that killed hundreds of people and forced thousands from their homes, the relief effort is finally gaining steam in Haiti, with the flow of food and medicine increasing to cities that will serve as hubs for desperate outlying villages. As Hurricane Matthew passes, Haitians are struggling with Cholera, an infectious disease that can be deadly and is transmitted through contaminated water or food and that's not the end of their problems. Haiti is in a long political crisis and during this national emergency the government has failed to act accordingly instead depending on foreign donors. Haiti still haven't finished their election, which is predicted to start again soon to have a stable leader in this time of need instead

Over 75% of people in Haiti are in poverty due to many reasons including a lack in education. Why don’t they go to school? Well they have to walk to school, which is 2 miles to and 2 miles back most of the time(Not to mention without good water or food). Adding buses would be amazing for Haiti since it erases the long walk, and many kids can get to school faster and easier. That will make it so more kids can go to school. So, in the long run, this will create more jobs, hopefully sparking the economy and possibly getting Haiti back to being a functional country. This is a long shot, but even if it doesn’t work, this it will at least get more kids in school.

In addition, “the plantation system—the engine of the Haitian economy—lay in ruins after years of warfare” (Nations Online). This economic isolation combined with prolonged hierarchical disputes marked the beginning of Haiti’s lingering struggle of interdependence among the population.

Haiti is the second largest Caribbean Island. It occupies a third of the western part of the island it shares with the Dominican Republic. Haiti is also made up of several islands that surround the main territory. The capital is Port-au-Prince. It rains between November and March in the North of the island and between May and October in the South. “Once covered by forest, the country has been heavily logged for wood and fuel and to clear land for farming, and is now largely deforested.” Haiti is divided into “nine administrative departments.” Besides the capital, other important cities are Cap-Haitien and Gonaives.  “Haiti is the most densely populated country in Latin America and has the lowest per

The caribbean is where a small island, contains two countries within its borders and a long history of conflict. Haiti and the Dominican Republic are two different country, with completely different cultures, from religion, to the food they eat, Two countries, with two different, yet correlating stories. A story of conflict is what unites these two countries. This paper will attempt to analyse that story, and answer how this small island came to be divided into two countries, and inhabited by two peoples of such different cultures. This paper will also take a small look at the results of this history, and it’s effects on both countries.

The Haitian revolution took place in Saint-Domingue, a French colony and one of the richest of all European colonies in the Caribbean, on the western part of the island of Hispaniola, a major center of sugar production with hundreds of prosperous plantations. The population of the colony comprised of three groups, the white colonials, the gens de couleur, and the slaves. Many slaves ran away and established maroon communities that were self-sustained. As more and more slaves ran away, more and more slaves were being imported from Africa and other Caribbean islands, which resulted in the high prices of slaves. Since the French aided the North American colonists in their war for independence, they sent several hundreds of gens de couleur to the colonies. Once they returned to Saint-Domingue, they wanted independence themselves from the French.

Off the Gulf of Mexico, lies one of the most densely populated and least developed countries in the Western Hemisphere with a population of almost 10 million people. The country faces many natural disaster and challenges, including a poor educational system, lack of sanitary water access, and inferior living conditions. This country is Haiti.