Haiti & Post-colonialism

Colonialism has affected so many people and so many countries, Haiti had its fair share with colonialism as well. From the beginning Haiti was already subject to to colonization by the Europeans. Christopher Columbus, many years ago, on his journey to find "The New World" found Haiti instead. Originally the island was named Ayiti. After Columbus discovered the land he names it La Espanola, which is Hispaniola to English speakers. Amongst his arrival he began to put the native Taino(Arawak) people to work. With the unfair treatment to the natives several of them died, either from the diseases brought from the Europeans, being overworked and exhausted, or so much more. There were around 5-7 hundred thousand natives living on the island and after Columbus there were around 29 thousand natives left. The process of decolonization is everything but short, it took years for Haiti to separate from the French rule and establish their own way of living.. The French used the island and its people to their benefit, products like timber, sugar, and coffee were taken and eventually imported. Today after about 2 centuries of being decolonized from the French, Haiti and The United States are working together and the states are Haiti's greatest trading partner and benefactor.

Makayla Lee