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Jan 1, 1492
Columbus Lands in Ayiti
Columbus renamed this island LaIslaEspañola(Hispaniola). It became the first Spanish settlement in the Americas. -
Jan 1, 1542
Taíno Arawak People are Wiped Out
Disease and massacre killed the natives of Ayiti. -
Spain Gave Western Third of Hispaniola to France
After French and British pirates filled Hispaniola(As the Spaniards had left in search of riches), Spain gave the Western third of Hispaniola to France. -
The French Revolution
This event unbalanced the power in France's colonies and triggered slave rebellions all over the Carribean. -
Slave Rebellion
The slaves on St. Domingue rose up in rebellion. The slaves successfully overthrew their masters and the entire slavery system. -
Jean-Jaques Dessalines Declared Independence from France
After the slave army defeated the French forces, Dessalines took power, and the new state was named Haiti. -
France Recognizes Haiti
Only after a large payment is made does France recognize Haiti. This left Haiti in a large debt. -
United States Recognized Haiti
The U.S. recognized Haiti after the slave-holding states seceded from the Union. -
U.S. Trade With Haiti Was Growing
Sugar and fruit growers were expanding south, into the Caribbean. -
U.S. Marines Invades Haiti
Fear of competition in trade, the U.S. used the excuse of political instability to invade Haiti. -
U.S. Left Haiti
After a rebellion against the occupation, Haitian President, Charlemagne Péralte, was assassinated. -
François Duvalier Elected President
The Haitian Army and the U.S. government supported this new leader. -
"Papa Doc" Declared Himself President-for-Life
Duvalier built a family dictatorship, and made this ruling. -
The Presidency is Handed Over
Papa Doc gave the presidency to his 19-year-old son Jean-Claude before he died. -
President Reagan Elected in U.S.
With this election, the Haitian government arrested many civil rights workers, trade unionists, and journalists. -
African Swine Fever Scare
After African swine fever killed some Haitian pigs, the U.S. oversaw the destruction of every pig in Haiti, leaving most families with no income or savings. -
Anti Government Protests Sweep Haiti
Tens of thousands of people marched in processions with the encouragement of the Church. -
U.S. Air Force Jet Flew Duvalier and Family to Exile
The U.S. Cut off economic aid to Haiti, and without U.S. aid, Duvalier couldn't stay in power. -
Election Massacre
On Election Day, Tontons Macoutes went from one polling station to another and let off their machine guns on the potential voters. Dozens of people lay dead by the afternoon. The election was cancelled. -
Sunday Church Massacre
During church one Sunday, armed men invaded the church and shot into the crowd. At least 13 died and 18 injured.
