The Turbulent Political History of Haiti-Timeline | Political News

Haiti got rid of French rule in the 19th century and became the first independent country in the colonial era and the first black-led republic in Latin America and the Caribbean.

But in most of the history that followed, including the dictatorship of the Duvalier dynasty, it suffered a cycle of violence, invasion and repression.

President Jovenel Moise was shot and killed by an unidentified attacker overnight, raising concerns about another riot.

The following are some important events in Haitian political history:

1492 – After Christopher Columbus arrived, Spain colonized Hispaniola. 200 years later, Spain ceded the western half to France. The sugar, rum, and coffee produced on plantations run by African-American slaves enriched France.

1801 – Former slave Toussaint Louverture led a successful uprising and abolished slavery.

1804 – Haiti became independent under the leadership of former slave Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who was assassinated in 1806.

1915 – The United States invaded Haiti and withdrew in 1943, but maintained financial control and political influence.

In 1937 – In the most serious incident of the long-term confrontation with the neighboring Dominican Republic, thousands of Haitians in the border area were massacred by the Dominican army under the orders of the dictator Trujillo.

1957 – Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier came to power with the support of the army, ushering in a period of widespread human rights violations.

1964 -Duvalier declared himself president for life. His dictatorship was marked by repression and was executed by the frightening Tonton Markut secret police.

1971 -Duvalier passed away and was succeeded by his son Jean-Claude or “Doctor Baby”. Suppression increased. In the next few decades, thousands of Haitian “boat people” fled to Florida from the sea, and many died on the way.

On May 15, 1963, Haitian President François Duvalier’s army marched in front of the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. On the same day, Duvalier’s constitutional term as chief executive ended-he declared himself president for life [File: Eddie Adams/AP Photo]

1986 -Popular uprising forced Baby Doc to flee Haiti and exile to France. Lieutenant General Henry Nanfi took over.

1988 – General Prosper Avril succeeded Namphy in the coup.

1990 – Avril Lavigne declared a state of siege during the protest, but resigned before the election under international pressure.

1990 – The former parish priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide was the poor left-wing champion and won the first free election in Haiti. He was removed from office in the 1991 coup.

1994 – The US army intervenes to overthrow the military regime, and Aristide returns. UN peacekeepers deploy in 1995 and Aristide protege Rene Preval is elected president.

Year 1999 – Aristide is elected president for a second term despite disputed results.

year 2004 -Political turmoil forced Aristide to flee, but the country plunged into violence.

year 2006 -Universal victory elections.

2008 – 2010 – A series of protests triggered by food shortages, cholera outbreaks and elections.

year 2010 – According to various estimates, a catastrophic earthquake killed 100,000 to 300,000 people and caused extensive damage in Port-au-Prince and other places. Despite the international rescue, the country was almost overwhelmed, exacerbating political, social and economic problems.

year 2011 – Michel Mattelli won the second round of presidential elections.

2012-14 Corruption and poverty have fueled frequent anti-government protests. The demonstrators demanded that Mattelli resign.

2017 – Jovenel Moise is a banana exporter who later became a politician and was announced as the winner of the 2016 presidential election.

2019 year -After Haiti failed to hold elections due to political stalemate and unrest, Moys passed decree to steadily accumulate power and rules.

2021 -Thousands of people took to the streets chanting “against dictatorship” and demanded that Moise resign.