Haitian Independence

A couple of years ago I learned some things that I had NEVER been aware of before!  I knew the Haitian people revolted and got independence from French rule.  I knew they were the first ever Independent "Black" Republic and the 2nd nation to get independence from a powerful European nation in the western hemisphere (the first being the U.S. just a few years earlier).

Some things I didn't know troubled me greatly!  First some timelines....

The French Revolution was 1789-1799.  The Haitian Revolution was 1791-1804.  (SO, France is dealing with two revolutions at the same time, and needing to fund both).

The Louisiana Purchase occurred in 1803 AND Haiti proclaimed its independence on January 1, 1804!

So, what did I learn....well, as a child in school I learned about the Louisiana Purchase.  I knew it was France that occupied this area (Which includes where I live today, 15 states of the US and parts of 2 Canadian provinces).  What I didn't know, is that while the rulers, the wealthy in France were fighting two revolutions, and losing, they needed more $$$ to continue. The  land in the Louisiana Purchase was 828,000 square miles!  This was sold to the new United States for 15 million!  The purpose of selling this land was in an attempt to keep the 10,714 square miles of Haiti (just a bit smaller than Maryland).  One of the most powerful nations desperately wanted to keep this land of Haiti....this RICH, BEAUTIFUL land.  Haiti was France's wealthiest overseas colony because of the sugar, coffee, indigo and cotton generated by slaves.

Toussaint l'Overture started the slave revolt.  The Haitian people won.  The country was called Haiti after the revolution ended.  

There is much speculation about the state of Haiti today and what happened after January 1, 1804, but one thing for sure is the the U.S. was NOT going to be an ally to this new independent nation.  The United States was still in the midst of slavery, for more than 50 more years!  The U.S. did not even recognize Haiti's Independence until President Lincoln did so in 1863.  So there was a big conflict here :-(  An embargo was placed on Haiti.  France forced Haiti to pay for her independence! From 1825 to 1947, Haiti worked at paying France 90 million gold francs which is equivalent to $22 billion today!  

I often wonder what Haiti would be like today if AFTER getting independence from France, we the USA were their friend, and if they did not have to pay that ridiculous amount of money to France.  I believe they'd be in a much better predicament.  

I celebrate with you today, Haiti!  You are AMAZING!  What a STRONG people you are!  You are the poorest nation in the world today and this is NOT your fault!  I do not know when and if this will ever change.  I feel incredibly honored to have one of your people, a Haitian young man joining my family.  I cannot wait to celebrate the New Year and Haitian Independence with him next year!  We will have pumpkin soup!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, HAITI!