The United States occupation of Haiti lasted from 1915-1934 following the assassination of Haitian president, Vilbrun Sam. President Woodrow Wilson sent the marines to restore order and maintain economic and political stability. The United States had long interest in Haiti as a potential naval base. For that reason, Haiti’s stability concerned U.S. diplomatic and defense officials who feared the country’s instability might result in foreign rule. This paper explores letters written by Lieutenant Ronald Stiles and his family during their participation in the United States’ imperial occupation of Haiti. Their accounts provide information on the United States’ exploitation of natural resources, mistreatment of the native peoples, and the false claims of helping improve the country’s infrastructure. However, it is necessary to understand the environment which they entered because of previous historical events.
In 1749 Louis XIV of France formally established, the city of Port-au-Prince on the west coast of the island. Like other European countries, France sought to exploit the Caribbean for its valuable resources like sugar and other cash crops. After establishing the port city of Port-au-Prince, the economy of Saint-Domingue gradually expanded, with sugar and, later, coffee becoming important export crops.
After conflicts …show more content…
The reappearance of United States presence on the island protected U.S. assets, and prevented a possible German invasion. The threat of European infringement resulted in the Haitian-American Treaty of 1915. The articles of this agreement created the Haitian Gendarmerie, essentially a military force made up of U.S. citizens and Haitians controlled by the U.S. Marines. The United States also gained complete control over Haitian finances, and the right to intervene in Haitian domestic relations whenever the U.S. Government deemed
In 1749 Louis XIV of France formally established, the city of Port-au-Prince on the west coast of the island. Like other European countries, France sought to exploit the Caribbean for its valuable resources like sugar and other cash crops. After establishing the port city of Port-au-Prince, the economy of Saint-Domingue gradually expanded, with sugar and, later, coffee becoming important export crops.
After conflicts …show more content…
The reappearance of United States presence on the island protected U.S. assets, and prevented a possible German invasion. The threat of European infringement resulted in the Haitian-American Treaty of 1915. The articles of this agreement created the Haitian Gendarmerie, essentially a military force made up of U.S. citizens and Haitians controlled by the U.S. Marines. The United States also gained complete control over Haitian finances, and the right to intervene in Haitian domestic relations whenever the U.S. Government deemed