A History of Haiti by Maria Navarro

5000 BCE

mnavarro219 — 2023-06-01 17:37:47 UTC

The native Taino settle on the island of Hispaniola and call it Ayti, or land of high mountains. They live peacefully in groups ruled by a leader called a cacique. Historians believe the Tainos originally moved into the island from the Amazon or Central America

1492 CE

mnavarro219 — 2023-06-01 17:40:04 UTC

Christopher Columbus arrived from Spain with a group of colonists. Though relations were peacefully for the first few days, Columbus' desire for gold, land, and spices would eventually lead him to destroy most of the native population on the island. The Spanish would control Haiti for over 100 years.

1625 CE

mnavarro219 — 2023-06-01 17:48:06 UTC

The French take over the Western part of Hispaniola from the Spanish. They import thousands of enslaved Africans to harvest sugar, tobacco, and other crops. Enslaved Haitians endured brutal treatment under French colonization. The harsh planting season also destroyed most fertile land in Haiti.

1552 CE

mnavarro219 — 2023-06-01 17:51:51 UTC

Spanish priest Bartolome de Las Casas, originally a slave owner, protests the treatment of indigenous people on the island. He wrote a book called A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies about the abuses of colonization. However, his fight to end indigenous slavery eventually led to greater numbers of enslaved Africans

Did you know? Taino Culture

mnavarro219 — 2023-06-01 17:53:13 UTC

Tainos preserved many elements of their culture through their houses called bohios, their games, and their language. Today, many English and Spanish words like hurricane, canoe, and barbeque all come from the Taino!

1791 CE

mnavarro219 — 2023-06-01 17:56:57 UTC

Led by Toussaint Louverture, Haiti rebels against the French and fights for its freedom. The revolution lasted 13 years and cost many lives, but eventually led to the end of slavery in Haiti and the creation of Haiti as an independent country. Many countries like the United States did not support Haiti as the world's first "Black Republic."

1804-1957 CE

mnavarro219 — 2023-06-01 18:07:07 UTC

Haiti succeeds in becoming an independent country and writes its own Constitution. For the next 150 years, Haiti would see a variety of leaders, governments, and dictatorships rise and fall on the island. The brutal treatment of French colonization made it difficult for the island to recover economic power, especially while paying off a massive debt to France. Even the United States would eventually occupy Haiti, leaving behind a legacy of antihaitianism on the island

1957- Papa Doc and Baby Doc

mnavarro219 — 2023-06-01 18:10:10 UTC

In 1957, Haiti was overtaken by a dictator named Francois Duvalier or "Papa Doc." Though initially popular, Duvalier left behind a legacy of fear and intimidation on the island. He was eventually succeeded by his son, Baby Doc.

1986-2006 CE

mnavarro219 — 2023-06-01 18:14:06 UTC

Haiti underwent another turbulent period with multiple coups, presidents, and military leaders. Leaders such as Jean-Bertrand Aristade and Rene Preval vied for power in a series of elections

2010 CE

mnavarro219 — 2023-06-01 18:16:13 UTC

Haiti is hit by the largest earthquake in 200 years, killing hundreds of thousands of people and living millions homeless, without power, or with disease. Many recent flows of Haitian immigrants were caused by this earthquake

Present Day

mnavarro219 — 2023-06-01 18:18:29 UTC

Though Haiti is still struggling to address the effects of poverty, colonization, and racism the island still boasts many incredible people and culture. Famous artists like Jason Derulo and Martha Jean-Claude hail from the island, as well as activists, writers, and doctors.

2024-06-12 16:18:24 UTC

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