The United States' Occupation of Haiti
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The United States occupation of Haiti from 1915 to 1934 was marked by military intervention, political control, and economic influence. Triggered by Haiti's political instability and foreign debts, the US seized control over Haitian affairs, leading to infrastructure projects and repayment of debts to American and French creditors. Key figures like Roger Farnham and President Woodrow Wilson played pivotal roles in the occupation, which faced resistance and ultimately ended with US withdrawal.
Summary
Outline
The Prelude to the United States Occupation of Haiti
The United States' military involvement in Haiti commenced with the 1914 seizure of $500,000 in gold from the Haitian National Bank, a move that signified the beginning of a more profound American engagement in Haitian affairs. Haiti's strategic position in the Caribbean, sharing the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, had long been of interest to the United States. President Andrew Johnson, as early as 1868, had entertained the idea of annexing the island. However, it was not until the early 20th century that the United States began to lay the groundwork for what would become a 19-year occupation. The chronic political instability in Haiti, coupled with its substantial foreign debt—most notably to France—raised American concerns about European, particularly German, influence in the Western Hemisphere.Factors Leading to the United States Intervention in Haiti
The road to the United States occupation of Haiti was paved by a combination of internal strife and external economic pressures. Since its independence from France in 1804, Haiti had experienced significant political instability, with a succession of six presidents being overthrown between 1911 and 1915. The Haitian presidency, which was determined by the Haitian Congress and not by popular vote, often changed hands through force rather than democratic process. Concurrently, foreign economic interests, especially those of the National City Bank of New York, were keen on exerting control over Haiti's financial institutions. The National Bank of Haiti, which was under the influence of French and German interests, became a point of contention, leading to its reorganization and greater control by foreign entities, including the American bank.Roger Farnham's Influence on United States Policy Towards Haiti
Roger Farnham played a crucial role in the United States' decision to intervene in Haiti. As a journalist, lobbyist, and vice president of the National City Bank, Farnham had considerable sway over US Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan. Farnham's advocacy for American oversight of Haitian customs and financial operations, along with his strategic position, led to the US government's support for intervention. In 1914, Farnham's influence was instrumental in the decision to deploy US Marines to transfer a significant amount of gold from Haiti's National Bank to the National City Bank, ostensibly for safekeeping.The Commencement of the United States Occupation of Haiti (1915-1934)
The assassination of Haitian President Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam in July 1915 provided the United States with a pretext to begin a full-scale occupation. Secretary Bryan and President Woodrow Wilson directed an invasion by 300 Marines, who encountered little resistance. The United States supported Philippe Sudré Dartiguenave as Haiti's new president over the insurgent Rosalvo Bobo, ensuring a more amenable administration. During the occupation, the United States took direct control over Haiti's customs, banking, and treasury operations, with a significant portion of the Haitian government's revenue being allocated to repaying debts to American and French creditors.Administration and Opposition During the Occupation
The United States occupation authorities exerted considerable influence over Haiti's economy and infrastructure development, with the State Department and the US Navy playing central roles. A treaty ratified in 1915, which was intended to last for ten years but was extended to twenty, cemented US authority in Haiti. When the Haitian legislature rejected a US-drafted constitution in 1917, Dartiguenave, with the support of US Marines, dissolved the Senate, and a revised constitution was subsequently ratified. The occupation also faced armed resistance, most notably from the Caco rebels, which led to two significant campaigns to quell their uprisings.The Gendarmerie and the Corvée Labor System
One of the initial measures of the US occupation was to disband the existing Haitian military and establish the Gendarmerie, a paramilitary police force commanded by American officers. The Gendarmerie's duties included maintaining order and implementing the Corvée labor system, which mandated Haitian peasants to work on public infrastructure projects. This system, along with the Gendarmerie's role in suppressing dissent, fostered widespread resentment among the Haitian people.The Decline of the Occupation and the United States Withdrawal
By the 1920s, resistance to the occupation had intensified, leading to events such as the Les Cayes Massacre, where US Marines killed several Haitian demonstrators. This incident attracted international condemnation and led to the establishment of the Forbes Commission by President Herbert Hoover, which recommended reforms. Subsequent elections in Haiti brought a nationalist government to power that negotiated the terms for the withdrawal of US forces, culminating in the end of the occupation in 1934.The Enduring Impact and Legacy of the United States Occupation
The United States occupation of Haiti left a deep and enduring impact on the country. While the occupation led to the development of some infrastructure, it often relied on forced labor and did not result in significant economic benefits for the majority of Haitians. American corporations gained a dominant position in Haiti's export economy, and the country continued to struggle under the weight of debt. The occupation also resulted in numerous Haitian casualties, both through direct conflict and oppressive labor conditions. The legacy of the occupation has continued to shape Haiti's path of poverty and political instability well beyond the departure of US forces.
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Background and Motivations for US Involvement
Strategic Position of Haiti
The United States was interested in Haiti's strategic position in the Caribbean, which led to their involvement in Haitian affairs
Political Instability and Foreign Debt
The chronic political instability and substantial foreign debt of Haiti raised concerns for the United States about European influence in the Western Hemisphere
Influence of Roger Farnham
Roger Farnham, a journalist and vice president of the National City Bank, played a crucial role in convincing the US government to intervene in Haiti
US Occupation and Control
Events Leading to Occupation
The assassination of Haitian President Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam and the influence of Roger Farnham led to the US government's decision to occupy Haiti
Terms of the Occupation
The US took direct control over Haiti's customs, banking, and treasury operations through a treaty that lasted for 20 years
Resistance and Consequences
The occupation faced armed resistance and resulted in casualties, forced labor, and economic domination by American corporations
Impact of the Occupation
Development and Infrastructure
While the occupation led to some development and infrastructure projects, it often relied on forced labor and did not benefit the majority of Haitians
Political and Social Consequences
The occupation resulted in political instability, human rights abuses, and resentment among the Haitian people
Legacy of the Occupation
The impact of the US occupation has continued to shape Haiti's path of poverty and political instability long after the withdrawal of US forces
The United States' Occupation of Haiti
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00
The U.S. had an interest in Haiti due to its strategic location, sharing Hispaniola with the ______ ______.
Dominican
Republic
01
Concerns over European influence in the Western Hemisphere, especially from ______, led to the U.S. occupation of Haiti for ______ years.
Germany
19
02
Haiti's independence year
1804, from France
