An Overview of Haiti's History, 1492–1990
This chapter provides a historical outline of Haiti's domestic situation and international position relevant to the UN's involvement in its affairs in the 1990 elections and its efforts to reverse the 1991 coup d'état against President Aristide. Haiti's political culture has been characterized by the struggle for absolute power since its independence in 1804. Prior to this date, and also following it, Haiti's political culture was one of autocracy constantly marked by violence. Haitian emigration has emerged as a major factor in relations with the USA since the early Duvalier years. The ability to encourage or discourage waves of boat people towards the shores of Florida has provided the main leverage on Washington which Haitian Governments have developed since the late 1950s, although the parallel increase in drug-trafficking from Haiti towards the United States remains an important factor. This leverage was used by several of the key actors in the Haitian drama of the early 1990s, frequently at cross-purposes with efforts by the international community to resolve the crisis.
Keywords: Haiti, Aristide, Haitian emigration, Duvalier, United States, drug-trafficking
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