Haitian Independence


Inspired by the equality-based ideals of the French Revolution learned through colonial education, nearly 500,000 slaves revolted. Under the leadership of Toussaint L’Overture, the Haitian slaves fought and defeated the French Colonialists. Declaring independence in 1804, Haiti became not only the first colonialized country in which slaves won their freedom, but also the first independent … Continue reading Haitian Independence

The Birth of a Nation


Haiti was originally settled by Taino Amerindians. The name Haiti means “Mountainous Land” in the Taino language. After Columbus discovered the island Hispaniola in 1492, Spanish settlers nearly annihilated the Taino tribes within twenty-five years. Spain assigned the mountainous western two-thirds of the island to France, thus creating the state of Haiti.