Haiti

=Haiti- No Government, No Money  and No Stability. = toc

// The Dynastic dictatorship of the Duvalier family. //
François Duvalier was elected in 1957. This election is known as the most civil in Haiti's past. Despite the fair election, he started a dictatorship that also meant terror and manipulation. After he passed away, his power went to his son, Jean-Claude. Claude was madly corrupt and depleted most of the countries natural resources. With the lack of natural resource's Haiti didn't have the development it needed to be able to have an international influence with other nations who were developed. The rule of the Duvalier family ended in 1986 when the citizens of Haiti revolted. In replace of Jean-Claude Duvalier came a five-member Conseil National de Gouvernement (CNG), or National Council of Government.

// An unstable government for the Haitians. //
The five members included 3 citizens along with 2 military officers. Within a new group elected in 1986, the constituent assembly, they developed an idea to make a new constitution. In 1987 the former party members of the Duvalier governmental rule, otherwise known as Tonton Macoutes, became the leaders of attacks after the presidential elections ([|lcweb2.loc.gov]). As a result military armed forces had to keep watch during the voting. This lead to a decrease in balloting and Leslie F. Manigat was elected. In the time period of only January to June (1988) she was overthrown in an action led by Lieutentant General Henri Namphy, the head of the CNG. Namphy became the dictator of Haiti. He immediately suspended the 1987 constitution. Just a few months later Namphy was overthrown by Lieutentant General Prosper Avril. Avril reconstructed the development of the 1987 constitution. This new leader also was able to make it through a coup still as leader. This coup was an attempt by officers who obtained ties with Duvalierist. Prosper promised to have elections and also pay lip service to a democratic government, however he overall ruled as a dictator ([|lcweb2.loc.gov]). With such an unstable government in the country it did not only lead to poverty but also somewhat put Haiti behind in terms of becoming social with other counties and expanding in the world.

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//Social Life and Movements: //
In the 1900's a small middle class group raised in Haiti. Although the group itself was small it was politically important. Because they emerged social class standards increased, but the original high- class citizens didn't lose their economic preeminence (Library of Congress Country Studies). Peasants were also excluded from all national affairs even though their work made up most of the countries wealth but in the 1980's this discrimination began to get cut down. Peasants also began to move to the urban areas due to the bad economy in the rural regions, for search of a high way and standard of living. This only lead to a more populous urban region lower class in Haiti.

=== //Economy: //===

Haiti in today's world isn't considered a rich country. But from the 1940's and partially the 1950's their economy did improve and develop. This was mostly a result of Haiti's infrastructure and the increase of exports. However in the 1980's it obtained the status of being the poorest country economically in the western nations. Its GDP in 1987 translates in American dollars to $1.95 billion. One reason why they suffer with money is because they're economy was mainly built during the 1980's. The 1980's in Haiti was a time when the ruler ship was in a bad place. Francois Duvalier possessed rule during this time. He shaped the governmental economy into one that was personal patronage. Duvalier also made

corruption very dominate in the Haiti society. To also insure his dictatorship he put more money on taxes to put forth to the military. As a result poverty became more normal and all forms of the counties economy began to plummet. For example the “Industry suffered in late 1980s because of political instability”(Library of Congress Country Studies). In the late 1980's the industry made up for about 23% the of work force. Haiti's exports at the same time made up 53% and finally the work force came up to establish about 6% of the population.

// Trade Versus Aid: //
One example of the trade vs. aid conflict is the decline in rice production starting in the 1980's. Before then however Haiti was a well-known rice producer and very efficient in making enough amounts for their population. But when the 80's came, so did a downfall. Many farmers and other citizens living in rural areas with jobs that involved the preparation of rice lost their jobs because the imports of rice into Haiti was at a higher number than the production of rice in the area. Though many would say that the reasoning behind the shortage of provision could just be because of a bad weather, poor farming, etc. one factor stands out, the adoption of trade liberalization policies. A lot of Haitians believe that this issue is the U.S.'s fault because now the market in Haiti is overflown with America's imports ([|american.edu]) thus further ruining their agriculture and farm profits. The making of low profits didn't help Haiti with economic ties with countries because Haiti provided almost nothing to help benefit them.

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