The settlement of Haiti begins with early colonization of Columbus that they called La Navidad as result of a shipwreck. This portion of land is considered part of the Middle Passage, as ships would pass from the Americas to Africa to Europe. The portion that is now present-day Haiti was populated by an Arawakan tribe called the Taíno people. The indigenous people of this given area suffered what some historians consider the most brutal example of depopulation in the Americas as very few Taíno people escaped to build nearby villages. During the 1500s gold and silver deposits were mined in South America and Mexico, as a result this island settlement remained at a stand still.
In 1595, after a 20-year feud with the Dutch, shut down their home trading ports in Spain. This, in turn, meant that they could not receive direct shipment of salt goods. However Spanish trading ports on the island of Hispanola continued to trade, illegally, with the Dutch. When word of this got to Spain the Spanish destroyed the settlements of the island, including two La Yaguana, and Bayaja that are considered present day Haiti. In destroying these towns more than half died from starvation or diseases. Many slaves escaped and livestock was abandoned. Because the Spanish destroyed their settlements, land was now easily attainable.
In 1625 the French settled along with some English and Dutch pirates. To sustain their community they hunted wild cattle as well as passing Spanish ships. Although the Spanish destroyed their settlements many times, they were resilient in reestablishing the land each time. In the early 1660s, Frenchman Jeremie Deschamps claimed the land for the French. The French West India Company was established in 1664 and tobacco, indigo, cotton, and cacao was being harvested on the fertile land.
Throughout the 1700s the country was riddled with hardships. An earthquake and tsunami destroyed the city in 1770 and many died of starvation and disease. At this time, the colony produced 40% of all sugar and 60% of coffee being consumed in Europe. All of which produced by slaves. By the 1780s the slave population totaled 500,000 and was governed by the white population, which totaled 32,000. Aside from these two demographics, a growing population of gens de couleur or those considered mixed race, totaled 25,000. Many of who owned slaves and plantations.
Although the French Revolution was across land and sea, revolution was felt in Haiti as an uprising of slaves burned plantations to the ground and rebellion shook the colony beginning the Haitian Revolution. In 1795 under new French law, slavery was abolished. Soon after, Jean Jacques Dessalines became the first emperor of Haiti in 1804. Upon declaring independence from France, Dessalines ordered any remaining French be killed by Haitian military.
History of Haiti. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2015.
Short and Oversimplified History of Haiti. (n.d). Retrieved September 17, 2015.
Spanish Discovery and Colonization. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2015.
In 1595, after a 20-year feud with the Dutch, shut down their home trading ports in Spain. This, in turn, meant that they could not receive direct shipment of salt goods. However Spanish trading ports on the island of Hispanola continued to trade, illegally, with the Dutch. When word of this got to Spain the Spanish destroyed the settlements of the island, including two La Yaguana, and Bayaja that are considered present day Haiti. In destroying these towns more than half died from starvation or diseases. Many slaves escaped and livestock was abandoned. Because the Spanish destroyed their settlements, land was now easily attainable.
In 1625 the French settled along with some English and Dutch pirates. To sustain their community they hunted wild cattle as well as passing Spanish ships. Although the Spanish destroyed their settlements many times, they were resilient in reestablishing the land each time. In the early 1660s, Frenchman Jeremie Deschamps claimed the land for the French. The French West India Company was established in 1664 and tobacco, indigo, cotton, and cacao was being harvested on the fertile land.
Throughout the 1700s the country was riddled with hardships. An earthquake and tsunami destroyed the city in 1770 and many died of starvation and disease. At this time, the colony produced 40% of all sugar and 60% of coffee being consumed in Europe. All of which produced by slaves. By the 1780s the slave population totaled 500,000 and was governed by the white population, which totaled 32,000. Aside from these two demographics, a growing population of gens de couleur or those considered mixed race, totaled 25,000. Many of who owned slaves and plantations.
Although the French Revolution was across land and sea, revolution was felt in Haiti as an uprising of slaves burned plantations to the ground and rebellion shook the colony beginning the Haitian Revolution. In 1795 under new French law, slavery was abolished. Soon after, Jean Jacques Dessalines became the first emperor of Haiti in 1804. Upon declaring independence from France, Dessalines ordered any remaining French be killed by Haitian military.
History of Haiti. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2015.
Short and Oversimplified History of Haiti. (n.d). Retrieved September 17, 2015.
Spanish Discovery and Colonization. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2015.
This map of Haiti shows present cities and departments. We can see how Haiti's population is distributed throughout the country in many cities.
A Map of Haiti. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti
A Map of Haiti. (n.d.). Retrieved September 17, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti
This map shows the size of Haiti compared to that of the rest of the word. In viewing this image, we can consider the Middle Passage and Haiti's placement on the map. In addition, we can also think about the fact that Haiti was responsible for producing 40% of sugar and 60% of coffee exports to Europe in the 1770s. It is interesting how so much revenue was produced off of this amount of land.
This is a great link to further information on Haiti including settlement and more about the history of Haiti. There are also other links on this site that discuss current state of political parties and government.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Haiti.aspx
This link further discusses the history of Haiti in terms of the Slave Revolution and Haitian politics and government after independence from France.
http://www.iacenter.org/haiti/ramsey.htm
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Haiti.aspx
This link further discusses the history of Haiti in terms of the Slave Revolution and Haitian politics and government after independence from France.
http://www.iacenter.org/haiti/ramsey.htm
Population Pyramids:
http://populationpyramid.net/haiti/2015/
http://populationpyramid.net/haiti/2075/
The first pyramid illustrating 2015 shows the population of those in a younger generation, under 35, outweighs that of the older population, over 35. In addition, the male to female ratio is nearly the same. It is projected in 60 years, in 2075 that the ratio of males to females will, virtually, even out with an even number of males to females at any given age. This projected trend predicts that the birthrate will slow in this country.
http://populationpyramid.net/haiti/2015/
http://populationpyramid.net/haiti/2075/
The first pyramid illustrating 2015 shows the population of those in a younger generation, under 35, outweighs that of the older population, over 35. In addition, the male to female ratio is nearly the same. It is projected in 60 years, in 2075 that the ratio of males to females will, virtually, even out with an even number of males to females at any given age. This projected trend predicts that the birthrate will slow in this country.