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Haiti's History

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Haiti's History Haiti’s History 5000 BCE - 1780 5000 BCE First inhabitants, the Tainos and Arawak 300 BCE 1492 Farming villages Christopher Columbus sighted established Haiti and renamed it La Isla Española (later Anglicized as Hispaniola) 1492-1514 1697 1780 Enslaved natives, European The Treaty of Rijswijk: “Creation of Santo Became France’s most prosperous New World diseases and brutal working Domingo (Spanish Eastern Half) and Saint possession, exporting Sugar, smaller amounts of conditions (pop. 100 000-30 Dominigue (French Western Half).” Spain coffee, cacao, indigo, cotton. (2/3 of France’s 000) giving the western half after exhausting gold foreign investments) cause of soil erosion mines (European investors and landowners unconcerned or unaware of long-term consequences) 1789 - 1801 1801 L’Overture named “governor- general for life” 1791 1793 Dutty Boukman, a Jamaican-born Haitian voodoo priest, Léger Félicité Sonthonax (sent from conducted a ceremony at the Bois Caïman during which France), maintain order, abolished he prophesied that a massed rebellion would at last slavery (L’Overture agreed to fight for 1789 free the slaves of Saint-Domingue. A wild animal was French for this - http://en.wikipedia. Saint-Domingue, society deeply fragmented by sacrificed and Boukman urged them to take bloody org/wiki/Haitian_Revolution), joined colour skin, class and gender. revenge on their French oppressors. French revolution his army - Grands blancs (Elite merchants, Landowners, granted citizenship to wealthy affranchis, Europeans Royal Lineage) refused with the law - Petits blancs (overseers, craftsmen) 1792 - Blancs menants (Labourers/peasants) Granted citizenship to all affranchise - Affranchis (free mulattoes (mixed white&black)/ black slaves) - Maroons (escaped slaves, fought guerrilla battles against colonial militia) 1802 - 1809 1802 1803 1804 1806 After defeating General Leclerc, agreeing to an truce (but Death of Toussaint Louverture, Declaration of independence the Arawak derived Civil war broke out between Christophe broke it and imprisoned in France) French withdrew but maintained name Haiti (Ayiti – Mountainous Land) and Alexandre Sabès Pétion (based at Jean-Jacues Dessalines/Henry Christophe led a black their presence until 1809 Port-au-Prince) army 1809 Spanish (with British help restored rule in Santo Domingo) 1811 - 1859 1822 Jean-Pierre Boyer became president and conquered Santo Domingo, declared independent from Spain. 1825 France recognized Haitian independence in return for 100 million francs paid at an annual rate until 1887 1833 Britain recognized Haiti 1843 Boyer was overthrown (till 1915, 26/20 rulers overthrown/ assassinated) 1844 1847 Haitians expelled by uprising and Faustin Élie Soulouque became president 1811 created distrust between Haitians regime return to power for the blacks Christophe declared himself King Henry I, improve and Spaniards. 1859 economy at the cost of working former slaves, Unsuccessfully annexed the Dominican built Sans Souci, and fortress La Citadelle 1862 Laferrière (World Heritage Sites) United States recognized Haiti Republic, overthrown by Fabre Geffrard 1820 (encouraged educated mulattoes to join his Christophe committed suicide when rebellious government, established Haitian respectability soldiers were after him abroad) 1890 - 1956 1890 United States attempted to gain additional military and commercial privileges in Haiti 1905 US took Control of Haiti’s customs operations 1913 American business interests gained a secure financial grip and valuable credit 1915 US Marines occupy Haiti for 19 years (1934) under Monroe Doctrine (right to prevent European intervention in Western Hemisphere) Haitians believe to protect US’s own investments 1918 New Constitution that permitted foreigners to own land in Haiti 1930 1935 Haitian national assembly since 1918, Sténio Plebiscite extended Vincent’s Joseph Vincent elected president term to 1941, altered the 1934 constitution so that future President Roosevelt withdrew Marines (still presidents be elected by 1937 maintained economic control until 1941, indirect popular vote Dominican Republic troops/ until 1947) police killed Haitian labourers 1946 living near border Worker/Student Strikes opposition 1938 to president, Élie Lescot Dominican government pay 1950 a part of the compensation Colonel Paul E. Magloire elected promised to the slain worker’s president in a plebiscite relatives. 1956 Magloire Forced to resign 1957 - 1990 1964 Duvalier, elected president for life, increasing international isolation, renewed friction with Dominican Republic, mass departure of Haitian professionals 1971 Assigned his son Jean-Claude (at 19, aka “Baby Doc”) to be president for life, sought international respectability, Repression diminished, US aid, economy revived somewhat (little change) 1990 General Prosper Avril’s unstable regime ended for only 2 years, Jean- 1957 Bertrand Aristide, Catholic priest, won François Duvalier 1987 presidency from first free elections in (aka “Papa Doc”) First attempt at elections, ending with three Haiti’s History. a physician with an 1958 dozen voters killed interest in voodoo, was Unsuccessful to overthrow 1988 elected president Duvalier, in response Leslie Manigat winning considered fake and organized paramilitary Henri Namphy overthrew him group (Tontons Macoutes “Bogeymen”) terrorize the people 1991 - 2005 2000 lleged fraud elections, Préval took control of the legislature, Aristide claimed 1994 1995 Presidency again 20 000 US troops occupy First peaceful transfer of 2003 the country, Return of Aristide Aristide to René Préval Opposition to Aristide’s rule broke out (dismantled Haitian military, 1999 pressed for free-market Préval dissolved reforms) parliament 1991 reformists policies alienated 2004 wealthy elite, and General Street demonstrations, Aristide fled the country in the face Raoul Cédras deposed of rebel revolt, loss of US/French Support. (Conflicts between him and began to repress supporters and rivals leading to death, international accusations political opposition. Tens of human rights abuses) of thousands of Haitians 2005 attempted to flee in small presidential elections delayed from crime, kidnappings, gang boats to Florida activity 1991 - 2005 2006 51 percent Haitians voted for Préval, parliament rejected Préval’s nominations for prime minister 2008 2010 800 Haitians killed, hundreds of thousands displaced from Haiti earthquake, leaving 1.5 million homeless hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding Voodoo Rada Altar Petro (Petwo) Altar - There is a misconception on Voodoo being evil, but it the religion focuses on respect and peace. - Voodoo has been past down from generation to generation through “oral tradition” with no main holy book or beliefs and rituals. Each region has their own distinct differences. -The religion even has differences in a city or village, where followers may have been contacted by spirits and Ioa that can vary. - Voodoo has been practiced as long as 6,000 years and originated began in the African kingdoms of Fon and Kongo. Voodoo translated means the “sacred spirit or deity”. Priestess who are called mambo or manbo translates to “mother” or “magical charm” and “healer” which is still used today.1 - Voodoo believes in various gods and spirits that affect people’s lives in a day to day basis. - Some of thsee activites are: - Worhship of ancestors, past leaders and deceased family members - Rituals (animal sactifices, magical objects, dancing, music, costumes) - Rituals are done outdoors using tha natural landscape - Priests who are considered community leaders help the communty by providing guidance, settling arguements and folk medicine. - Those who want to be Priests enter religious centers and are intiated by in isolatioin for three days and nights to symbolize dying and resurrection. - Intiates learn the various dieites, colours, and rituals to communicate with the loa. - The darkside of Voodoo is bo, intiates learn about it in order to counter act it. - The slaves that were brought to Haiti by the Spanish were forced to be devoted to Christianity. - The slaves took the elements of Catholicism and blended it with Voodoo to still be able to keep their religion. - The similarities in Catholic saints and loa were used relate to their own beliefs. - Even religious holidays became the holidays for Voodoo where celebrations of festivals take place. - The hynms and prayers became part of Voodoo as well. - The native Taino also influenced the slaves’ religion creating Haitian Voodoo that is Creolozied. - The objects used in rituals today have become part of the Haitian artwork and crafts. Some Haitian artists have even interepreted the different dieities on how they might look. - Taking the original African word for the darker side of Voodoo “bo” “Bokors’ are sorcerers who are part of the zombie tradition. In western culture this is called Hoodoo. - Voodoo is divided by two types: - Rada: peaceful worship of the happy loa; white magic. - Petro (Petwo): black magic. The angry loa. Petro is reported to represent only 5% of all Voodoo practiced. Black magic is related to Voodoo like Satanism is related to Christianity.4 - Voodoo is a fatalistic religion. Belief that your destiny is controlled by these spirits and only by contacting them can you control your destiny Voodoo Dieities & Spirits Agwe: Sovereign of the sea. One of the many lovers of Erzulie. Akaza Mede (Azacca): This is the loa of agriculture. Zaka is greatly respected He is the protector of seafaring men. Depicted as a mulatto with
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