Introduction

Republic of Haiti is a Caribbean country located near Hispaniola Island. The republic is ruled by an elected government which is led by a president. It is a mountainous country resulting to the name Ayiti. More than two thirds of the republic is mountainous with the rest parts of the country being plateaus, great valleys and small plains. The original inhabitants of this state were the Taino and Arawakan people. The whole of Haiti republic covers land area of 27,560 sq. km and a total area of 27,750 sq. km. the total population of the republic is estimated to be 9,801,664 as the population report released in 2012. Infant mortality rate and life expectancy in the country is estimated at 52.44/1000 and 62.5 respectively. Most of the Haiti inhabitants are French speaking Christians possibly because of the fact that it is a French colony(Arthur,200).

Haiti’s politics

Political history of Haiti republic begun as early as 1492. This is after the entry of European navigator Christopher Columbus. During this period, several arak migrants were slowly having their way in islands of Caribbean displacing the former inhabitants. During this period, they had formed chiefdoms referred to as cacicazgos which were headed by a chief referred to as cacique. In 1492, the island consisted of five chiefdoms namely marine, Magua, Maguana, Jaragua and Higuey. Two of these chiefdoms, marine and jaragua, currently form the modern Haiti republic(Abbott, 1988).

The colonization process of the Haiti republic occurred during 1625 to 1789. The island became a tough war among British, Spanish and French who all anticipated having control of the rich republic. The French rule in the republic begun in 1660 after Jeremie Deschamps outsmarted their English counterparts in their attempts to rule the island. A French settlement was established in 1663 in Leogane. This was later followed by other indications of French rule such as French west India Company and introduction of new French settlements. This French colonialism was famously referred to as Saint Dominique colony(Coupeau, 2008).

The saint Dominique colony made great fortunes in the sugarcane, cotton, tobacco and other agricultural products. Slavery was at the greatest heights both from the African states and from the indigenous Taino community. The colony produced more than 40% and 60% of sugar and coffee respectively consumed in Europe. Labor force in these plantations was from African slaves which were estimated to be around 790,000.

Saint Dominique colony had a smooth running until the outbreak of revolution in France of 1789. This resulted to outbreak of civil war in the island. The civil action was spearheaded by Julien Raimond and Vincent Oge who claimed they were too French citizens. Attempts to fight the French colonialists were short lived as the two foot soldiers fled the country. However, they were later arrested and executed in February 1791.

After a long period of slavery and slave trade under the saint Dominique colony, the country was declared independent in 1801. The declaration was made by Pierre-Dominique Toussaint l’Ouverture which was meant to finish the French rule. However, the independence movement was greatly suppressed by Napoleon Bonaparte. Haiti became the first independent republic which was triumphed by Jean Jacques Dessalines in 1804. This resulted to the naming of the country as Haiti which is an Arawak name (Butcher & Carl, 2010).

The revolution had adverse effects on the economy of Haiti. The revolution was due to power strife between majority black population and the light skinned mulattos who dominated the country’s economy. In 1905, after succession of dictatorship and bankruptcy in the Haiti republic, the country accepted the US customs receivership. This resulted to entry of the US marines from 1915 to 1935 which led to increased stability in the western hemisphere island.

The country experienced a smooth democratic rule mainly under president Dumarsais Estime. However, the dictatorship culture later crept back in the Haiti republic under the leadership of gen Paul Magloire in 1949. This dictatorship was succeeded by François Duvalier fondly referred to as ‘’Papa Doc’’ from 1957 who was later succeeded by his son (Abbott, 1988).  Strive to restore democracy in the country has been a struggle by majority of international community. United States peacekeepers have been greatly involved in Haiti’s elections where they left the country in 2001. Several elections have conducted in later years under great international concern which resulted in the election of the current president Michel Martelly and current Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe (Smith, 2009).

Haiti has been prone to major epidemic problems which include HIV/AIDS and frequently earth quakes. The poor governance full of dictatorship has resulted to the country being one the most poorest countries in the western hemisphere. The child mortality rate and increased rate of unemployment has tremendously increased. Majority of the country’s population seek employment in other United States countries and other Caribbean states. Natural disasters have also been a critical concern to the Haiti republic. The most notable one is the great earth quake which happened in 2010. The state lacks natural disaster preparedness which has dearly cost the country several lives. Improved democracy and disaster preparedness is critical to the success of the country and critical measures should be taken.

(Work cited)

Abbott, Elizabeth. “The DuvaliersAnd Their Legacy.” Haiti 2.23 (1988): 381-398. Print.

Arthur, Charles. “HAITI: A GUIDE TO THE PEOPLE, POLITICS AND CULTURE.” HAITI: A GUIDE TO THE PEOPLE, POLITICS AND CULTURE 2.24 (2005): 128-139. Print.

Arthur, Charles. Haiti in focus: a guide to the people, politics & culture. Brooklyn, NY: Interlink Books, 2001. Print

Arthur, Charles. Haiti: a guide to the people, politics and culture. New York: Interlink Books, 2002. Print.

Butcher, Pablo, and Carl Middelanis. Urban Vodou: politics and popular street art in Haiti. Oxford: Signal Books, 2010. Print.

channel, knowledge is a weapon. “Documentary: Haiti | Bitter Cane – YouTube.”YouTube.N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2013. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL799F6BB6C67FA1C9

Coupeau, Steeve. The history of Haiti. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2008. Print.

Smith, Matthew J.. Red & black in Haiti radicalism, conflict, and political change, 1934-1957. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2009. Print.

 
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