From Deseret News archives:

Hard times a constant of Haitian history

People persevere through slavery, poverty and illness

Published: Monday, Aug. 14, 2000 3:42 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti's story is one of courage and resiliency. Those traits still keep the Haitians going.

When Christopher Columbus named the island Hispaniola in 1492, he was looking for Asia. In reality, what he found was an island that at its closest point is about 60 miles from the southeastern-most tip of what would become Cuba. It was occupied by gentle Arawak Indians who were soon annihilated by white man's diseases and overwork. In 1697, Spain gave the western third of the island — the part that would become Haiti — to France.

It was a gorgeous and coveted place, according to the history books, referred to as the "Pearl of the Caribbean." It was one of the richest colonies of the 18th century French empire, filled with sugar cane and coffee plantations. Labor was supplied by slaves brought from Africa.

In 1791, a group of those slaves decided they'd had enough, revolting and gaining control of the northern part of the land.

Napoleon Bonaparte was furious and sent his elite troops over, led by his own brother-in-law, to put down the rebellion. It wasn't supposed to take long.

Story continues below
It didn't. Local forces, helped considerably by diseases like malaria, wiped out the French army and in 1804 declared independence from France. They named it Haiti, Arawak for "mountain land." U.S. President Thomas Jefferson signed an executive order banning Haitian immigrants from entering the country because he didn't want them to inspire an American slave uprising.

It is widely believed that the financial devastation of the failed battle with Haiti led Napoleon to sell the Louisiana Territory to the United States that year. France badly needed money.

Political turmoil is not just a modern-day malady for Haiti. Between 1843, just after the Dominican Republic broke off, and 1915, there were 22 changes of government. That instability in 1915 prompted the U.S. government to send in troops. Though they withdrew in 1934, a few U.S. soldiers are again stationed in Haiti.

There are two views of recent politics. Near the presidential palace, then-President (and soon-to-be-again) Jean-Bertrand Aristide is memorialized in a statue. By one view, the people are holding him up as he releases a dove of peace. Others say he's standing on them.

With all its troubles, the pull of the homeland is strong for Haitians who have gone elsewhere seeking a better life. Expatriate Haitians help keep the economy afloat. The two primary income sources in Haiti are foreign aid and money sent home to family left behind.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News

Healing Hands' Matthew Bracken helps Carlos, a 16-year-old Haitian, learn to use a new dual-line artificial arm.

previousnext

Latest comments

Elk Ridge residents protest "anti-Hill Billy" ordinance. When you live in a...

Patriots generally do not support the succession of their state from the...

Fair enough ...then using your arguement we should not be funding any...

you ask "Gee utah fans, how does it feel to have been undefeated twice and...

To "to:RedShirt | 11:26 a.m. | 1:04 p.m." so, what you are saying is that it...

And what qualifies you as a coach? If you were so good and insightful why...

Already has a lobby run by ex-congressmen who happen to be ex-college...

Bowls at a glance

If playing in the Poinsettia is eating humble pie, please remind me who...

WWII veteran had Hitler's art book

They should burn this book and anything else of Hilter's that they happen to...

At 72 yrs of age it still amazes and confounds me at the hatred that the so...

Advertisements