Haiti's Tragic History Is Entwined with the Story of America
Stay up to date with the latest headlines via email. Announcing
emergency help for Haiti after a devastating 7.0-magnitude
earthquake, President Barack Obama noted America’s historic ties
to the impoverished Caribbean nation, but few Americans
understand how important Haiti’s contribution to U.S. history
was. In modern times, when Haiti does intrude on U.S.
consciousness, it’s usually because of some natural disaster or
a violent political upheaval, and the U.S. response is often
paternalistic, if not tinged with a racist disdain for the
country’s predominantly black population and its seemingly
endless failure to escape cycles of crushing poverty. However,
more than two centuries ago, Haiti represented one of the most
important neighbors of the new American Republic and played a
central role in enabling the United States to expand westward.
If not for Haiti, the course of U.S. history could have been
very different, with the United States possibly