Haiti’s Horrid and Tragic History

I’ve been looking at the history of Haiti. I wish the world could get together and help Haiti in meaningful ways that would resolve their problems. It is horrid and tragic the way past European colonizing empires (Spain, France and England)) along with the United States have badly mistreated this country.

Haiti became the first free independent black nation in the world in 1804 after successfully repelling the colonizing empires. In retaliation, these countries blockaded the country to totally cut off their access to trade thus destroying their economy; forever it seems. As for the United States, they supported this blockade effort because the country was afraid that this “black freedom” could reach American shores where slavery was very much a part of the American way of life. Blacks were, of course, thought of as being inferior lesser people by white people.

Further to this, France demanded compensation for the loss of “their” colony and would only secede French sovereignty to Haiti without further attempted conflict by demanding Haiti pay a massive monetary reparation that would adversely affect the country to this very day. Additionally, to get the funds Haiti needed, they were forced to borrow from French banks. This debt would not be paid off until 1947. 

Helping the people of Haiti would be the right thing to do, but don’t count on it happening. The world is greedier and more heartless than it has ever been and still covets acquiring land and resources regardless of methodology. Humans also continue to be tribal.