The Difficult Transition from Duvalierism to Democracy in Haiti

In the 19th century, Enlightenment ideas were spreading all over Europe and Latin American which influents the white elites in Haiti to want a capitalist market and control of it own resources. Latin America’s elite class became anti-imperialist and favored exportation based on capitalism. Also, the white elites in Haiti saw that France was fully engaged in the Napoleonic Wars and seized the

Haiti had lots of challenges in running in their own government and remained unstable until today. Haiti was no longer protected by the French and were taken advantage of by other powerful countries. They were essentially trading one exploitive world power for another such as Germany who began to trade at unfair rates with the Haitian Republic. “But if the cost of maintaining power and continuing to enjoy the spoils of the state was the spoil of the nation, they were quite willing to sacrifice the nation.” (Trouillot, 1990). Merchants were fine with the financial, military and political instability of the Saint Domingue state, and had an interest in the succession politically because it meant that their jobs of exploiting the state would be more or less

Furthermore, his reign as governor general affected Haiti for the better, showing that he still cared for the common people. Directly after he gained control of the island, he and six other men drafted a constitution. The core of the Haitian Constitution drawn up is Article 3, which states that “there cannot exist slaves in this territory [and] servitude is therein forever abolished. All men are born, live and die free and French” (Saint Domingue Constitution). The constitution changed Haiti for the better, as it abolished slavery.

That is not much people know about the Duvalier regime is clearly brought out in Danticat’s Krik? Krak! She articulately brings out the injustices that the Haitians were subjected to during the era of the new government. She illustrates the injustices through the sufferings of the women. She also brings out the strength of the women; even though, it is unnatural and how they struggled to keep their families and loved ones close and safe during this horrific moment. Additionally, through the above women characters, Danticat brings out the role of security that was neglected by

Despite living and looking like grand blancs, they were mistreated. Last came slaves. Now that the social classes have been explained, the Haitian Revolution and its relationship with the French one can be better understood.

During this time of seizure, the U.S was looking to create a more politically stable Haiti and also wanting to create a more secure control over the country. They also wanted to establish themselves in the Caribbean. There also was a need to integrate Haiti into the international Capitalist economy. But during this control over 3,000 Haitians were killed. The Marines installed a puppet president, denied the people of Haiti the freedom of speech, forced a new constitution upon them, and

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

The Haitian Revolution is recorded as the only known completely successful slave revolt in world history. Taking place from 1791 to 1804, the rebellion ended slavery in Saint Domingue, and rebirthed the area into the Republic of Haiti. The Revolution carried effects on a grand scale. Globally, other countries began to become fearful due to the rebellions, and this rage was voiced by citizens around the world. The French government’s political role in the lives of Haitians during the rebellion was expressed in numerous governing documents. The social impact of the revolution can be seen through the perspectives of slaves during the time period.

That’s why the French Revolution, along with Haiti, exhibited new and unconventional ideas[Kaiser Encyclopedia]. The ideas of “liberty, equality, and fraternity”[Chapter 10, Brittanica] were supposedly though valid for all peoples, but that was considered troublesome for those who wished to control the social hierarchy. King Louis XVI was unable to adequately reform the french fiscal system, which laid the foundation for the revolution[Voyages 495-496]. When he showed reluctance to rule as a constitutional monarch, he was beheaded by french revolutionaries. Later, the National Assembly had to force their ruler to sign the Assembly’s constitution. In Haiti, the prosperity of the colony was based upon slavery. This was an issue because the majority of the population were slaves, and had no say in the government. Both the Haitians and the French had to fight for what they wanted and were strongly opposed. The political changes taking place in France at the time of the French Revolution brought change for the

Purpose: To understand how Haiti became what it is and all the trials it has endured

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 Haitian revolution had tremendous repercussions in the social, political and economic arenas of the world, but especially for the relationship with the neighboring nation of the Dominican Republic. In order to understand the development of the Dominican-Haitian relationship after the Haitian revolution one must examine how the two colonies of Hispanola dealt with each other before it. Throughout history there has been constant stress between the interactions of these nations, yet there is no easy explanation for what has caused it. In effect, it has been an accumulation of events which has allowed for the present relationship to evolve.

A Roman Catholic priest by the name of Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president of Haiti in late 1990. Political prisoners were set free and Duvailer's Tontons were disbanded. There was much hope for the government under the new presidency, but due to the lack of confidence from the military, Aristide was overthrown in 1991.

For the most part, the interaction between the colonizers of Haiti—the Spanish and the French—was negative, and lastingly so. Haiti has remained a turbulent and impoverished landscape. Social and economic indicators remain doggedly low, year after year. Haiti, although technically independent as of 1804, has never been able to support itself. There is a lot of heartfelt sympathy for Haiti, and the hope is that the legacy of colonization is not unending fate. But it will take a lot of work to get Haiti to a place of true freedom and independence, and sometimes outside help, however well intentioned, only unwittingly fuels the legacy.

He then violated the new constitution 4 years after it had gone into effect. In 1964, he declared himself president for life, which seven other presidents had done before. He replaced the Armed Forces Chief of Staff with someone who was more reliable and Marine-trained officers with younger men who had more loyalty. This helped him to improve an army unit into the Presidential Guard. Its main purpose was to maintain Duvalier's power. In 1961, he established a group known as the tonton makouts, which expanded his authority into another areas. In 1966, he nominated a Catholic hierarchy for Haiti, giving him more power than before. Duvalier used corruption and intimidation to eliminate his enemies, and took advantage of one of their weaknesses; his enemies did not have the ability to plan against the