Formerly known as the ‘Pearl of the Antilles,’ Haiti has experienced a history as rich in events as it is in paradoxes. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, the island of Haiti was initially inhabited by Taino and Carib Amerindians who lived peacefully in a well-structured society. However, the atrocious conditions imposed by the colonists led to a decline of the indigenous population and an increasingly diverse population, composed of inhabitants from Benin, Guinea, Nigeria, and the Republic of Congo. These inhumane conditions would trigger a series of major events, the most important of which are:

The Bois Caïman Ceremony (presided over by Boukman and Cécile Fattiman on August 14, 1791), steeped in voodoo spirituality, was the catalytic event towards Haiti’s Independence, marked by a massive riot against slavery. However, despite the abolition of slavery in 1794, the interests generated, especially by the island’s coffee and sugar production, were so compelling that the agreement was not respected, and Toussaint Louverture was captured.

Shortly after the new French invasion and the death of Toussaint Louverture, the Battle of Vertières took place on November 18, 1803 (led by Jean-Jacques Dessalines and François Capois), characterized by the capitulation of the French army and subsequently led to the declaration of the Independence of the Republic of Haiti on January 1, 1804, at the Place des Armes in Gonaïves.

After the assassination of Dessalines, Haiti was plunged into a period of political division that lasted fourteen years. The country split into two distinct entities, governed by Henri Christophe in the north and Alexandre Pétion in the south. It was not until 1820, under the presidency of Jean-Pierre Boyer, that national unity was restored. Subsequently, the island experienced a succession of significant events that would continue to mark the course of its history:

The payment of significant sums of money to colonial powers, notably France and Germany (nearly 21 billion dollars).

The political insurrection (the Cacos Revolution) in Haiti served as a catalyst for the American intervention of 1915. By taking control of the country, the United States established the HASCO, the City Bank, developed the railway network to export agricultural products and monopolized customs revenues until 1956, to the detriment of the Haitian economy.

The Duvalier dictatorship (1957-1971) was marked by political repression while promoting certain development projects (such as the Peligre Dam, Establishment of Hospitals and Sanatoriums and expansion of the educative system).”

The fall of the Jean-Claude Duvalier dictatorship, triggered by a popular revolt in January 1986, opened a period of political instability marked by the domination of a military junta. This situation led the international community to impose an embargo, before supporting the election of Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Occupation by MINUSTAH troops (2004-2017) preceded by constant riots and the overthrow of Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2004.”