April 24th - Carribean History

Overview of Hispaniola

• Hispaniola is the second largest island in the Caribbean, divided between two main nations: Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
• Population Statistics (estimated around 2018):
  • Total population of Hispaniola: approximately 20 million (around 10 million each for Haiti and the Dominican Republic).

Historical Context (1900-1930)

• Both nations struggled under colonial and economic pressures.

• Haiti's Economy (1900):

  • Dominated by coffee production as a primary export.
  • Haiti was historically one of the largest coffee exporters globally until the coffee market collapsed around 1900, leading to economic decline.

• Dominican Republic's Economy (1900):

  • Peasant-based economy, exporting cacao and tobacco with a re-emergent sugar plantation economy.
  • Sugar plantations in DR, backed by US capital, began expanding post-1880s.

Historical Milestones of Independence

• Haiti:
  • Gained independence on January 1, 1804, after a successful slave rebellion, becoming the second independent nation in the Americas after the United States (1783).
• Dominican Republic:
  • Established as a separate independent nation in 1844 after a 22-year Haitian occupation (1822-1844).

Economic Structures

• Post-revolutionary Haiti relied on a peasant economy.
• Weak central government that capitalized on coffee production, but did not provide public services.
• Dominican Republic's Governance:
  • Struggled with weak central authority due to regional military leaders challenging state power.
  • In 1860, reverted to Spanish colonial rule temporarily.

Outside Influence and Occupation

• Persistent foreign intervention disrupted both nations.
• Haitian financial struggles:
  • 1825: Haiti forced to pay reparations to France to gain recognition, leading to long-term debt and economic instability.
  • US intervened financially, taking control over revenues and tax collection.
• US Military Occupation
  • Haiti (1915-1934): Marines occupied to manage debts, maintain control, and restructure governance.
  • Dominican Republic (1916-1924): Full military control without local governance.

Effects of Military Occupation

• General:
  • Brutal suppression of local resistance movements (Haitian cacos, Dominican gavieros).
• Strengthened central governments improving infrastructures and initiating educational opportunities.
• Creation of Local Middle Class:
  • Expanded bureaucracies created new opportunities for educated local elites.

Political Developments after Occupation

• Trujillo Era (Dominican Republic):
  • Rafael Trujillo ruled dictatorially from 1930-1961, leveraging both populist and authoritarian strategies.
• Duvalier Era (Haiti):
  • François "Papa Doc" Duvalier from 1957 to 1971 used the state apparatus for control and economic exploitation.
• The influence of Cold War politics affected both nations, leading to further US involvement.

Social and Economic Changes in Haiti

• Cultural Shift:
  • Intellectuals began recognizing and valuing the peasant culture, countering previous elitist attitudes.
• Post-Duvalier Era:
  • Economic struggles and political instability characterized the transitions in leadership after Duvalier's death.

Conclusion

• The occupations by the United States shaped critical aspects of governance, economic structure, and social hierarchy in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic, leading to a complex legacy affecting their developments well into the 20th century.