Hard times a constant of Haitian history

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.

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.

Gina Duncan, director of the Healing Hands for Haiti Clinic on Rue Babiole, knows that pull. Her family left Haiti when she was 4. In her 20s, she returned, married, had a child and divorced, then married Lucien Duncan. Haiti has brought her great sorrow at times. And gifts of joy.

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