Haiti: The first black republic
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history 500-1789
presentation
published 25/07/2008
review : Completed
level : General public
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In its early years as a wealthy French colony, Haiti was the envy of European imperial powers; however, in the last two centuries it has undergone a major transformation from a blooming Caribbean colony to an economically, socially, environmentally, and politically troubled nation. Since the slave revolt of 1791 and subsequent independence in 1804, Haitis history has been plagued by corrupt and destructive leadership as well as by a struggle for political power between the urban mulatto elites and the predominantly poor, black, rural community (Foster 3, Haggerty, Tata, Weinstein 1). As a result, roughly two-thirds of the population lives in poverty, half of adults are illiterate, and health services are inadequate to address high infant and maternal mortality and major public health crises. [Moreover], real per capita gross domestic product fell at a rate of 2 percent during the 1980s and 2.5 percent during the 1990s. (quoted in Haiti Country Assistance Evaluation Report)
Table of Contents
- Intorduction.
- Historica background: Exploitation, instability and dictatorship.
- Transition to democracy.
- Modern challenges to democracy.
- Conclusion.
