HISTORY OF HAITI

HISTORY OF HAITI The first inhabitants of the island of Haiti (Ayiti) were the Arawaks, theTainos, the Caribs and the Ciboneys. In 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived with the Spanish expedition and introduced slavery to the Caribbean. In 1503 the Spanish brought the first enslaved Africans to the Caribbean region after the Indians were decimated due to diseases and hard labor imposed upon them by the colonists. Haitian Revolution - The Haitians produced the world's only successful slave revolution in 1791. A revolution that led to their independence in 1804. From 1804 to present, there have been Haitian King, Emperors and Presidents. After suffering cruel, inhuman and barbaric treatment in the hands of their oppressors, the Haitians rose up and fought bloody battles to defeat colonialism and imperialism. Toussaint Louverture defeated the Spanish, the British, and the French (Napoleonic army). The Haitians gained their freedom through self-determination. The Haitians are strong, proud and resilient people. They produced amazing accomplishment during the time of slavery by leaving their indelible imprints profoundly inscribed in the annals of world history. In January 1804, they declared their independence. In the 18th century, the Atlantic stage was shared with three democratic revolutions: the American Revolution (1776), the French Revolution (1789) and the Haitian Revolution 1791-1804). In 1804, the Haitians accomplished the unthinkable and shocked the world when they declared their independence after defeating the troops of Napoleon to create the world's First Black Republic. As a result, Haiti was to be shunned by much of the international community and this attitude can still be felt today. Madison and Monroe were not any different. When the independence of Haiti was debated again in the U.S. Senate in 1820, the Southern Senators voted against the recognition of Haiti's independence. Their rationalization was that they could not recognize a Republic created by black slaves who rose up to defeat the white slaveholders. In 1774, Jean-Baptiste Point Du Sable, founded the City of Chicago. In 1779, The Haitian saved U.S. revolution in Savannah, Georgia when the American troops were almost annihilated by the British. The first ornithologist in the U.S. was the Haitian born John James Audubon (April 26, 1785 – January 27, 1851). 1803 - The Louisiana Purchase was facilitated by the Haitians, who defeated the Napoleonic troops in Haiti, and therefore, discouraged the French from pursuing their quest to gain control of the U.S. The French sold Louisiana to the Americans for almost pennies. Many historians consider The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 a gift from Haiti to the U.S. The Haitians continued to help to spread the contagious seeds of freedom across the world. In 1813 and 1815, the Haitians helped Simon Bolivar and Francisco Miranda in the fights for the independence of Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. In 1820, Haiti assisted Greece during its struggle for independence against Turkey. It was until 1862 that the U.S. (Abraham Lincoln) recognized Haiti; while the French Revolution was welcomed by the U.S. Frederick Douglas said, in one of his speeches in 1893 "The freedom that has come to the colored race is largely due to the brave stand taken by the sons of Haiti". He was sent to Haiti as Consul and was the first African American to be appointed as consul and to hold such a prestigious position. The Founders of the First Black Republic were: General Toussaint Louverture, the genius; Emperor Jean Jacques Dessalines; King Henri I (Henri Christophe) and General Alexandre Petion. Toussaint Louverture claimed a Universal Human Right to Freedom and Citizenship for all slaves and former slaves.