Americans Again Fire on Haitians the New York Times 7 August 1915
You lot may have seen headlines in 2019 most a worsening humanitarian crisis in Haiti. And you about certainly saw headlines in 2021 post-obit a political crisis and seven.2-magnitude convulsion. These moments accept been only some of the latest inflection points in a country that has suffered more than than five centuries of political instability—and the effects thereof. Hither's our at-a-glance guide to Haitian history.
1492: The "beginning" of history
Christopher Columbus lands on what is at present known equally Hispaniola (the island shared past Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and claims it for Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. While this is regarded as the beginning of Haiti'due south written history, the island had been inhabited by indigenous Taíno, who referred to the land as Ayiti, since the BC era.
An engraving past Theodor de Bry of Christopher Columbus landing on Hispaniola on December. six, 1492. (Image: Library of Congress)
1496-1697: Spanish colonization
In 1496, the first Spanish settlement on Hispaniola (and the first European settlement in the western hemisphere) is established in what is now present-mean solar day Dominican Republic. 5 years later, after all but decimating the population of Taíno people, Spain brings 1,600 kidnapped and enslaved African people to the island to piece of work in gold mines and on carbohydrate plantations.
1625-97: French colonization
The start French settlers establish a colony on Tortuga Island and in the northwestern expanse of Republic of haiti'due south mainland, naming the territory Saint-Domingue. In the latter part of the 17th Century, under Louis Xiv, France authorizes African slave trade in the territory and introduces the Code Noir, which not just further restricts the rights of enslaved people in all French territories, just likewise the rights of free people of color.
In 1697, Spain cedes its territory in western Hispaniola to France. Under French dominion, Saint-Domingue is the country's richest colony in the 18th Century, producing one-half of all the carbohydrate and coffee bought and sold in Europe and accounting for one-third of the Atlantic slave merchandise.
An engraving by Nicolace Ponce of Cap Français (present-day Cap-Haïtien), 1791. (Photo: New York Public Library Digital Collections)
1789-1804: Revolution(s)
The events of 1789 make more people — on both sides of the Atlantic — outspoken for the rights of Black and ethnic people of colour in the colony. France violently represses this activism, which leads to the first of the Haitian Revolution in 1791.
The Haitian Revolution continues for more than than a decade, destroying much of Haiti'due south agronomical resources and infrastructure. On Dec iv, 1803, French forces give up to Jean-Jacques Dessalines in the northwestern commune of Gonaïves. For the first fourth dimension in over 300 years, Haiti is over again an independent nation.
1804-20: A fractured peace and civil state of war
On January 1, 1804, Dessalines assumes the role of Governor-General. He declares himself Emperor subsequently that year, and is assassinated two years later. This leads to a Haitian civil war between the north and south that lasts until 1820. Reunification following the 2nd peace excludes Black Haitians from power.
Haiti's independence from France came at a toll: Reparations that cost the country approximately $20 billion that were paid through loftier-interest loans. The last payment was made in 1947.
1825-1914: Independence, but at a cost
French Rex Charles Ten agrees to formally recognize Haiti equally an contained nation, provided that the country pay 150 one thousand thousand francs in reparations to France (approximately $33 billion in today's currency). Haiti takes out high-involvement loans from American, German, and French banks to cover the cost (approximately eighty% of the state's annual national budget).
In 1838, France reduces this debt from 150 one thousand thousand to 90 million francs (ca. $xx billion). The final payment is made in 1947, almost 150 years after independence.
1915-37: American occupation and the Parsley Massacre
After a series of brusk-lived Haitian presidencies and border disputes with the Dominican Republic, the U.s. invades in 1915 to protect its investments in-country. The United States withdraws its forces in 1934. 3 years later, Dominican forces under the orders of President Rafael Trujillo kill an estimated 30,000 Haitians living in the border zone betwixt the two countries in what'southward known today as the Parsley Massacre.
1954-71: François "Papa Md" Duvalier takes power
Soon after Republic of haiti celebrates 150 years of independence, Hurricane Hazel makes landfall in the country in October 1954, killing 1,000 and destroying coffee and cocoa crops at the beginning of harvest season. In 1957, following two failed elections, doc François "Papa Doc" Duvalier seizes ability. His cult of personality turns despotic the post-obit year when he establishes death squads to silence his opponents. In 1964, Duvalier declares himself president for life, a title he maintains until his decease in 1971.
François Duvalier during his 1957 presidential entrada (Photo: Wikimedia Eatables / Public Domain)
1971-86: The reign and fall of Jean-Claude "Babe Doc" Duvalier
Following Duvalier's death, his 19-year-old son, Jean-Claude "Baby Dr." Duvalier, assumes the title of president for life. A popular revolt in 1986, however, leads to Infant Doc fleeing Haiti. He is replaced by Lieutenant-General Henri Namphy.
1987-88: Leslie Manigat elected and overthrown
The elections of 1987 are delayed post-obit the assassinations of two candidates and a massacre of Haitian voters. Military machine-run elections in January 1988 declare Leslie Manigat the winner. He is overthrown in a war machine coup led by Namphy six months later. In September, Namphy himself is overthrown by General Prosper Avril.
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1990-2004: Elected. Exiled. Re-elected. Re-exiled.
Avril resigns amid protests. Old Salesian priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide wins the state'due south first gratis and peaceful democratic elections, with a reported 67% of the pop vote. His dominion is interrupted in 1991 by a insurrection led by one-time Brigadier-General Raoul Cedras. Aristide is exiled until Cedras himself gives up power and enters exile in September of that year.
Aristide returns to power in 1994. His reforms included increasing access to healthcare and didactics (including adult teaching and literacy), improving the country's judicial organization and civil rights, doubling the minimum wage, food distribution to those suffering hunger and food insecurity, livelihoods back up and training, and dissolving the military.
After a presidential term by René Préval (1996-2000), Aristide is re-elected despite claims of fraud. Several failed attempts to overthrow Aristide'due south government result in conflict across the country led by armed groups. Aristide is forced to resign in a 2004 coup and leaves for S Africa. A multinational United nations Peacekeeping strength returns to the country to maintain security and stability.
The January 12, 2010 convulsion in Haiti had catastrophic consequences as it struck the nigh populated area in the country. In the weeks post-obit the disaster, desultory violence, annexation, and gang-related gunfire broke out in downtown Port-au-Prince.
2004-08: Free elections, natural disasters
Floods damage parts of the country early in 2004, a vulnerability that is further exploited that September by Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Jeanne. Jeanne kills at to the lowest degree 3,000 and leaves another 250,000 Haitians homeless. Flooding destroys cardinal rice and fruit harvests.
Less than a twelvemonth after, Hurricane Dennis kills 56 and causes an additional $50 million in damages for Haitians. 2008 sees a cord of natural disasters within but one month, including Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, destroying 25% of the country's economic system.
2010-fifteen: Earthquake, cholera, and further instability
On the afternoon of Jan ane, 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hits Port-au-Prince. The scale is unprecedented in an urban setting. While international donors pledge $5.3 billion to help Haiti rebuild, many fail to see their commitments. Farther issues with funds non making it to their intended uses keep to fuel pop dissatisfaction with leadership, especially when picayune progress has been fabricated six months following the quake.
The land is farther overwhelmed by a cholera outbreak — the first of its kind on record, and regarded by many to be the worst in recent history. Lasting for years, cases number 820,000 and approximately 10,000 are killed. Subsequently a violent election bike, Michel Martelly wins the presidency. He designates Jovenel Moïse equally his party's candidate at the end of his term. Moïse wins ii elections, held in 2015 and 2016, respectively, despite questions around their legitimacy, and takes office in 2017.
The remote expanse of Latanye on the isle of La Gonave was completely flooded subsequently Hurricane Matthew. Well-nigh 25 pct of the homes were partially or completely destroyed. Photo: Kristin Myers
2016-19: Hurricane Matthew hits amid a lag in funding
Hurricane Matthew makes landfall late in the season (October iv, 2016) and is the strongest storm to hit Haiti since 1964. In add-on to destroying crops merely before harvest fourth dimension, it exacerbates the cholera epidemic, leaves 200,000 families without a abode, and causes farther impairment to the country's infrastructure.
Haitian civilians, specially the about vulnerable, suffer these consequences the most, specially among a lack of humanitarian funding. In 2019, the United nations reports simply meeting xxx% of its funding goals for Haiti as many donors fall behind on financial commitments.
2020-21: New developments and uncertainties
COVID-19 lockdowns add to income loss and food insecurity. Political insecurity also continues, with a constitutional crisis provoked over Moïse'due south term limit and refusal to leave office before 2022. Moïse is assassinated in his own dwelling house in July, 2021, leading to increasing violence in the country. Ariel Henry is confirmed as prime minister, and as well takes on the role of acting president.
Five weeks after Moïse's bump-off, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hits western Republic of haiti, approximately 55 miles northward of Les Cayes. It is the largest natural disaster to hitting the country since the 2010 earthquake.
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Humanitarian crisis in Haiti worsens post-obit 7.2-magnitude earthquake
Larn more nearly the impacts of the Baronial 2021 earthquake in Haiti and Business's response.
Concern in Haiti
Business organisation has been active in Republic of haiti for over a quarter of a century, beginning with our 1994 response to Hurricane Gordon. We've been involved in emergency response and development programming ever since. Some of our key programs and areas of work include:
2021 Earthquake Response
Every bit function of our emergency response, Business organization has distributed 2,000 hygiene kits and provided condom drinking water to the affected communities. Alongside our partners we distributed 500 emergency shelter kits and other essential items such as plastic sheeting, blankets, soap and cooking utensils to families who have been displaced. We go along to support Haitian Civil Authorities to verify the extent of the damage to key infrastructures such as hospitals and schools. We are also working with local partners to mitigate the risks and raise sensation of gender-based violence (GBV) amongst vulnerable groups such every bit children, women, the elderly, people with disabilities and the LGBTQIA+ communities. These activities include community-based psychosocial support, street theater to promote GBV awareness, and the mapping of protection referral pathways.
Building Hope & Opportunities in Haiti
Our chief program in the state addresses the complex problems of Cité Soleil, i of the biggest, and nearly overcrowded, urban residences in Port-au-Prince. The 5-year integrated program, funded by Irish Aid, works with communities and local authorities to ameliorate community cohesion, waste direction systems, civilian protection, livelihoods, and community resilience confronting flooding and other natural disasters. It includes trainings on peaceful disharmonize management for influential leaders and young change agents, and on gender-based violence for women's groups.
Child Protection
Funded past UNICEF, Business concern started this projection in July 2018 in partnership with the Italian NGO AVSI to encourage communities, parents, children, and adolescents to understand the consequences of violence against children, as well as the benefits of protecting children against violence. The programme targeted 500 families where children were at hazard of family separation or any type of abuse. The integrated programme included grooming and cash transfers on the status that children continue to receive a schoolhouse education.
Source: https://www.concernusa.org/story/timeline-haiti-history/
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