Haiti Had Problems Before The Earthquake

The Island of Haiti was a pleasureable discovery and a paradise like most islands with beautiful skies, cool breezes, fragrant flowers, green lush foliage, and crystal clear aqua colored waters.

5 December 1492 Christopher Columbus landed on the Western point of Hispanola later recognized as Haiti. Even though he was looking for a short cut to China and India. He fell in love with this Island, he marveled at the soil, weather, water, praising the mountainous island as a perfect paradise.

First Recorded Settlers:

450 A.D. The Ciboney's. Migrated from northern Americas to the southern region looking for milder climate.

900 A.D. The Tainos: Migrated from the Amazon valley to get away from the Arawak people. The Arawak's were war like full of anger and conflict wanting to fight to prove their worth in the world. the Tainos were peaceable people, creative, family orientated, farmers who love tilling the soil. They used their basket weaving skills to invent the Hammock. This supple long woven mat was attacked between two trees making a comfortable lounging or sleeping bed. They name this part of the island Ayiti ( meaning ) land of the mountains.

The Caribs: Inhabited the island also they had an unpleasant vicious nature and were not to be trusted. They were thought to be man eaters. The word carib means cannibals.

1492 Columbus set up a Spanish colony Navidad and returned to Spain for supplies and ships. When he returned the Caribs had Killed the Arawaks, Europeans, and Tianos, burned down the colony and controlled that area. Because Columbus saw clear evidence of cannibalism he decided to leave that issue for Spain to irradicate at a later time. His mission was to establish a colony so his long voyage back to Spain would not have been in vain.

Columbus moved to the north east part of the island and established Isabela. He appointed his brother to be in charge, to administrate. Spaniards were all given land where they built palacial estates and authority to subject the natives to slave labor.

1510 King Ferdinand of Spain transported large ships of Slaves from Africa to slave on the islands and elswhere. Slavery became big business for over 300 years.

1550 When Columbus returned most of the native population were dead from brutality, epidemics,escape attempts and suicide.

1560 Spain soon conquered Mexico and with the building of a New Spain in that area. Spain lost interest in the island of Old Santo Domingo. They had no one to work the land. Spain was so spread out. Haiti still under Spanish control was left abandoned for 75 years.

1590 Spain began to show weakness in controlling it's land power and France presented a great challenge to them at sea. The weakness Spain had in dealing with colonization was this. Favoritism to the aristocrats was Spains weakness. By giving hugh land parcels of choice land to the aristocrats and showing no interest in land that need to be developed. Soon financial progress slowed to a halt because money was in the hands of a very small group of people. The aristocrats could care less about development as long as they had theirs.

1610 The British, Dutch, and the French developed fast m assive ships and started compeating and asserting their sea power. The French had their eyes on Hispanola especially since it appeared to be up for grabs.

1620's Buccaneers and Law breakers.

They sailed around Haiti and the Carribean waiting to ambush Spanish ships that were laden down with gold, slaves, spices,and other treasures. Law breakers escaping justice were most happy to work on these ships. Haiti which was mostly abandoned by the Spanish was a perfect island. The Caribs presented no problem they were satisfied with gold coins and Rum for their labor.

1630 Pirates on the high sea.

The Pirates also used Haiti as their hide-out. They traveled the high seas going into China and India to make their haul then returning to Haiti. Again this island is controlled by evil and more evil.

The high seas became a lucrative business operation. Piarates terrorized Ships for years. Highjacking, taking over ships, stealing slaves, spices, treasures, and anything else of value made pirates rich and ruthless.

1650 The French were setteling on the north coast of Hispanola on Tortuga island. At first by the French Huguenots were trying to keep a low profile and worship as prostetants because France had a problem with none Catholics.

1697 Spain was too busy with Mexico to be concerned about Haiti. Through the treaty of Ryswick, Spain sold the western third of the island to France. This area was called Saint Dominique then later re-named back to it's original name Ayiti or Haiti.

1720 The French are expert developers and Haiti made astounding progress under their rule. At this time Haiti was a strong producer of products such as coco, cotton, ebony, indigo, and sugar. Haiti produced 40% of the French world trade. France began to dominate the economy of Europe.

Haitian trade valued around 140 million dollars being more profitable than the Americas and U.S. colonies at the time.

There was a big problem, none of this could be done without slave labor, they were not at the point in history to pay slaves for labor. If they had been paying the slaves for their labor however meager. France and Haiti could possibly continue to be strong conders in the world trade.

West Central Africa Land of Dahoumey:

Thousand upon thousands of slaves were imported. At the height of France's economy blast, there were 500-700 thousand captured slaves working the plantations. The majority of those slaves came from the land of Dahoumey. These people practiced a strong psychological religion called, Voodoo. This Religion practiced mind control so strong that possibly it's belief is predisposed in the blood lines. Many people feel the belief in Voodoo power has gripped Haitians so strong, it keeps them from rising above it to a better life.

Mulattos children of the slave master:

On this island a new group of people developed. A subculture developed from the offspring of the aristocrat or elite white slave master and the female african slave. As a result of his dominance she bore many children to him. These children were called mulattoes because they were half black and half white. Then the next generation was often half mulatto and half white there skin being tan to fair and their hair ranged from curly to straight. Some were born with blue or hazel eyes. The fair skinned Haitian's with 75% white blood really wanted to be white and moved to Europe taking up a life as a white French person. Because they were educated and spoke French as a rule it was easy to pass as white. This meant however they could not associate with other mulattoes who obviously had African blood, for fear they would reveal their true heritage.

Mulattos defiance:

The Mulattos knew they were not white but they expected special priviledges because they were children of the white master. Unlike in Europe no consideration for their white mixed blood would be given; because the majority of whites would not except it. On the island of Haiti slaves outnumbered whites 50 to 1 and the Mulatto group grew stronger and whiter yearly.

Mulattoes had plantations and other business interest set up for them by their white master father. If slavery continued it would be of their best interest. Their problem was they wanted legal, public, and social wrights equal to that of a white person.

The Maroons:

1740 Large communities of runaway slaves gain control of the mountain wilderness area. This presented a threat to the slave owners and the plantation. Taken from the Spanish word Cimaron for wild. The Maroons were wild, tough, with rugged guerrilla fighting experience.

1751-1757 The Maroons declared war on the plantations when 6,000 people were killed. Fighting on the side of the plantation were the black slaves and Mulattoes. Some Mulattoes received military experience fighting in the American Revolution against the British.

Spanish Royalist were subdued and defeated by the French Republican army aided by thousands of slaves at Cap Francais. Black slaves who fought in this war were promised and given their freedom. Not only were they given freedom, the people who continued to work the plantation were promised to be paid for their labor.

1770: Strong quake almost destroyed a vunerable colony in Haiti, " Port Au Prince ".

1791: Toussaint L'Ouverture: Haitian Slave Rebellion. When the official slave rebellion started. It was actually started by Black activist, and maroons who wanted to be freed.

When Toussaint heard of this rebellion he advised his master and family to leave for France and he joined the rebellion.

He supported and fought for the Spanish Royalist at the time of the 1793 battle because no slaves had been given freedom.

He quickly changed his support from the Spanish Royalist to the French Republicans. He changed his uniform in mid-war because the French Republican freed their slaves. The Spanish Royalist had not abolished slavery in any of their territory. He also discovered no possibilities of freedom were under discussion. Their business went on as usual even though they promised to free their slaves also.

1793: the Republican French Administrators of Haiti abolished slavery.

1796 Haitian Mulattoes rescued:

The Mulattoes had been fighting white administrators who would not except their equal rights as they were granted from France. No one could be trusted because the question came up. Who's fighting who? Fighting. Black slaves VS their masters. Mulattoes VS Administrators. White republicans VS Mulattoes.

The Power struggle. 1. Mulattoes rejected Blacks. 2. Blacks rejected Maroons. 3. Blacks Catholics rejected Voodoo. 4. White Catholics rejected Black Catholics. 5. Administrators rejected Maroons, Mulattoes, Voodoo and Whites who gave equal rights to Mulattoes.

Toussaint showed that he was a strong appoinent and fearless leader. When he and his forces went, rescued the Mulattoes from ambush, possibility of slaughter, he and his troops were victorious. France awarded him top position as commander of the Haitian French Army.

Toussaint made an agreement with the commander of the mulattoe forces Rigaud as co-leader. The French administrative commissioner was expelled from the island. Riguad challenged Toussaint in a battle and lost thereby leaving Haiti.

1801: Toussaint was by decree of the Haitian constitution was made Governor General for life.

1802: Napoleon Bonaparte dispatched about 20,000 troups led by his brother-in-law to remove Toussaint from power. When 2 of Toussaint's Lieutenants and their troops believed that the French were going to win they switched sides joining the French. If Toussaint gave surrendered and gave up all claim to power he was promised sanction. He was a few days later tricked on the pretex of a peaceful meeting. He was shackled and sent to prison near France where he died.

1802: When Napoleon declared that slavery was restored in Haiti the revolts and rebellion started up again the white masters and their families again were being poisioned. No white would take food cooked by any Haitian no matter what their color.

Napoleon was at war again with Britian. Desperate for money he sold the Louisiana territory to the United States cheap for a quick sale. Napoleon needed all of his military might to fight Britian. His French commander left Dessalines in control of Haiti. Escaping from threats of assination, he could take no more and escaped to Jamaica. His Black general Jean Jacques Dessalines was left in charge.

1804: 1 January, Haiti declared independence from France.

1805: Jean Jaques Dessalines declared himself Emperor of Haiti. During his self-proclaimed rule again there were problems. He gave no-one a title, establishing himself alone as the only " Royal One ".

His attempts at setting up civic leadership was laughed and scorned because of his lack of education. He tried to establish labor on the plantations to re-start the Haitian once booming economy. The workers were few because of poor wages if any all attempts at forced labor failed.

The driving force behind Dessalines failure were the Mulattoes. Because of their anglo-blood mixture, previous freedom, property ownership; they wanted to be Administrators of Haiti. Jean-Jacques Dessalines was soon assinated.

The Mulatto Elite were now in charge of Haiti. Putting in motion a " politique de doublure " form of leadership. Their selection a black general Henri Christophe and Alexander Peiton to act as chief of legislation to insure the support of blacks.

Henri Christophe had plans of his own. With his army he sought to take over Port-au-Prince but failed. Alexander Peiton and his army had ample supply of weapons there by taking control. He declared himself King Henri 1 of Haiti. Capturing Dahoumey warriors from Africa to guard and protect his life.

Self proclaimed King Henri 1 set up a sudo-aristocracy giving titles as he saw fit. He had the once beautiful San Souci palace built, the Citadel La Ferriere. He was a ruthless ruler the standards of his leadership did improve Haiti economy.

Alexander Peiton controled the South of Haiti . As president for life he leaned toward French inspired policies. His soldiers and other responsible citizens were distributed modest land acerage to build homes and farms. Producing mostly for family consumption.

1818: Alexander Peiton died and King Henri 1 sought to expand his control co Haiti by uniting both areas without success.

1820: King Henri had a stroke infirmed, unable to care for self without constant personal care. His days of depression were severe after his stroke. Constantly he feared torture as he had tortured thousands. 8 October 1820 It is believed he committed suicide.

1820-1822: Pierre Boyer and his army captured Cap Haitien and Spanish Hispanola reuniting Haiti with Port-au-Prince being the capitol. But while Boyer was in control the Haitian economy was threatened. Boyer and his corruption was draining the economy such as it was. He apparently was conned by France to make large payments for a final approval of Haitian Independence.

Again the Haitians became embroiled in war when Boyer was to be removed because of his obvious corruption. Boyer's army left him standing alone as they ran to the other side and joined the rebels. Boyer fled to Jamaica a then safe haven for political refugees.

1860 Spain secured control of the eastern two thirds of Hispaniola.

1915 When General Guillaume Sam became president of the territory he ordered 167 political prisoners to be executed. A large group of angry people met at Port-au-Prince. The crowd screamed and roared his name and chased him to the French embassy. There was no one there stronger than that mob. As the mob drug him from the embassy they tore him apart. While their victory dance may have been thrilling the sight of Sam's bloody torn apart body parts must have been chilling.

The U.S. troops were enlisted to restore law and order. The U.S. occupation did restore law and order in Haiti.

1915-1934 U.S. were in control of Haiti which helped them protect their interest in the Panama Canal. 1930 Rafel Trujillo Molina army commander of the Dominican republic came into power. It appeared that a stable administration was firmly rooted and the U.S. believed it was time to leave. The government did not run smoothly because there were three groups competing with each other. 1. The Blacks 2. The Mulattos. 3. Trujillo's people ( agents ).

1957 Francois Duvalier gained power ( papa doc ). When the medical doctor came into control he won by a landslide. Again a leader that could not resist abusing, misusing, and ripping off inexperienced mostly uneducated people.

1957-1971 Duvalier's tyrantical rule broke the back of Haiti. With a vicious team he named the Ton-Ton-Makouts. At least 30,000 Haitians were executed for opposing him and his rule.

1971: Duvalier died. This left the power to his son Jean-Claud Duvalier( baby doc ). who love to live the good life more than politics. The world news and media have documented his corruption. The brazen bravado in which he lived and ruled. If he could not steal it he did not want it. 1971-1986: Jean-Claud's syndicate of thieves were in control over Haiti for 15 years. 1986: Jean Claud Duvalier ( baby-doc) was removed from rule and fled to France with his family.

1994: Hurricane Gordon along with killer mud slides caused the death of hundred's of Haitians.

1998: Hurricane Georges uprooted 80 % of agriculture and various crops and causing at least 400 hundred to die.

May-2004: Because of lack of foresr conservation much of Haitian land is bald, when the rains come mud slider follow. Less than a week of constant heavy rain, flooding and landslides killed 2,600 people.

September-2004: Gonaives, Haiti's third largest city. Tropical Storm Jeanne whipped Haiti with flooding causing killer landslides that killed 1,900 leaving 200,000 homeless.

October-2007:  Tropical storm Noel strated floods, mudslides and destruction of unstable homes killing 57 people.

August-September 2008:  Three hurricanes and tropical storms killed at least 800 people.  Destroyed crops and almost finished Haiti by causing a billion dollars worth of damage.

January-2010:  Magnitude:  7-0 earth quake leveled Port-Au-Prince causing tens of thousands of death.  Leaving 100 of thousand homeless.

August-2010:  As devestation has not yet been corrected with and people are still homeless a real death dealing problem has erupted in Haiti.  The deadly disease Cholera is rampant in the Island threatening to kill even more people.