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Jan 1, 1492
Columbus lands on Ayiti
Columbus landed on Ayiti and claimed the island for Spain. It became the first Spanish settlement in the Americas. Within 50 years of Columbus's arrival Taino Arawak population pf Hispaniola had been virtually destroyed. -
St. Domingue
French and British pirates used the western part of the island as a base. Spain ceded the western third of Hispaniola to France. The French imported at least half a million slaves to work. -
The rebellion
After nearly a century of suffering the slaves on St. Domingue rose up in rebellion. The St. Domingue slaves successfully overthrew their masters and the entire slave system. Several factors contributes to their victory. One of those contributions is Vodou. -
The second contribution
The French Revolution of 1789 upset the balance of power in Frances colonies and triggered slave rebellion all over the Caribbean. -
Toussaint Luverture
His leadership was the third critical factor. Under his leadership, the slaves defeated Spanish and British invasions and forced France to abolish slavery. -
Independence
Dessalines declared independence. The new state was baptized Haiti, from the Arawak name for the island. -
France recognizes Haiti
France recognized Haiti in exchange for a large payment which placed Haiti heavily in debt. -
The U.S. recognizes Haiti
The untied states did not recognize Haiti until after the slave-holding states seceded from the Union. -
Expansion
U.S. business interests such as sugar and fruit growers were expanding south into the caribbean. -
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Invading Haiti
Using Haitian political instability as a justification, U.S. marines invaded Haiti in 1915 and stayed for 19 years. -
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Investments
U.S. investment in Haiti tripled. Under U.S. military rule roads, telephones and electricity were extended to some parts of Haiti. -
The United states leaves Haiti
The United States finally pulled out of Haiti, leaving behind a legacy of anti-american feeling. It also left a U.S. trained military force, the Haitian national guard, which replaced the remnants of Toussaint's army. -
Francois Duvalier
Francois is elected president with the support of the Haitian army and the U.S. government. -
President for life
Duvalier created an army militia loyal to himself, the tontons macoutes. He declared himself president for life. Haiti would have no more elections. -
Baby doc
Duvalier died after handing the presidency to his 19 year old son Jean-Claude. -
Disease hits Haiti
A disease called African swine fever killed some Haitian pigs. To stop the spread of disease, the U.S. agencies supervised the slaughter of the entire haittain pig population, including healthy hogs. -
Reagan's election
Ronald Reagan is elected president and anti communism becomes the focus of the U.S. Twenty four days after reagans election, the Duvalier government arrests 200 human rights workers, lawyers, trade unionists, and journalists. -
Haiti loses U.S. support
The U.S. cuts off economic aid to the Haitian government. Without U.S. support Duvalier could not stay in power. A U.S. airforce jet flew Duvalier and his family to exile in France. -
Election day
Truckloads of soldiers and tontons macoutes raced from polling station to the next, strafing lines of voters with gun fire. By 9am, dozens of people lay dead. The election was cancelled. -
The church
One Sunday morning Aristides parishioners were in church singing let the Holy Spirit descend on us. We have s mission for Haiti. Suddenly armed men blasted the church with machine gun fire. At least 13 churchgoers lay dead and 80 were wounded. The church burned to the ground.
