Haiti Earthquake Essay

Haiti, regarded as the second most poverty stricken country on the globe, taken in its past there is little to no uncertainty this manifested throughout years of hardship and grief. Haiti being a very new independent country in the wake of the glorious revolution did not have the easiest time. This due in great part to the colonization of Hispaniola by the french in the 17th century, where most trees were harvested for natural fuel and resources. This mass deforestation from the colonial age made is so Haiti to this day doesn't have much tree life. Soon after the French indemnity payments were done with in 1947, Haiti's economy was drained and in need of a strong leader to guide them on the right path. Haiti was appointed a new president who

became anything but what he claimed. Francois Duvalier aka Papa Doc became a ruthless and sinister man who not only terrorized the country with his son Baby Doc for 30 years but spent countless of the country’s dollars on frivolous commodities. Haiti's despair did not end in the 20th century but recently it was struck by an earthquake that devastated the country. This earthquake was not the grandest but since it hit a country so weak it was catastrophic. These tragedies all contribute towards Haiti to this day being the least developed country in the western hemisphere.

Haiti being the least developed country in the western hemisphere tracks back to european influence on its lands resources. Being greedy and power hungry at the time conquering most of Egypt thanks to Napoleon, France felt the need to conquer and colonize those they deemed lesser. Back in the 17th century Haiti was a flourishing island with green meadows and vibrant forest lands that stretched to what seemed forever. A colorful cultivation of what an ideal island was. Now this is but a dream, what Haiti is in its current state is a poverty ridden society with close to no plant life all but barren wastes take up what used to be trees. This butterfly effect started with the European settlers claiming land as they were so akin to. In an article published by USA Today reads “Fewer than 100,000 acres of forest remain in Haiti , a country ¾ tree covered 500 years ago” (USA Today). This quote not only shows how deforestation was caused by the European colonists but they caused it so the future of Haiti would be in shambles. The fact that France the soon to be controllers of Hispaniola harvested the resources and disbanded caused concern. In the same articled it wrote “ more than 98% are gone, leaving no topsoil to hold rain.” (USA Today). This quote shows that even though the deforestation at the time caused a problem the more influential was its effect in the long run. This leaving Haiti without natural resources, and a country without natural resources cannot hold a stable economy.

Haiti lack of a stable economy has less to with its recent catastrophic earthquake but more to do with years of a corrupt government who blatantly spent funds on unnecessary commodities rather than ensuring a future for an already weakened country. Throughout the years of Papa Doc’s reign he not only imposed a rule of influential terror but poured salt on the wound when he would unbashful spend his country's own money on frivolous things right from the Haitian people. In Time Magazine it read “Year after year Haiti’s population watched as money that could have been used to build roads, ports, schools, and hospitals simply vanished” (Time). This quote clearly shows that corrupt government directly stole money be it from unofficial taxes or extortion to spend on nonessential objects. This bruised the country to almost no repair because Haiti was barely making money as it was after France was paid reparations. This greed extended further when Baby Doc, Papa Doc’s son came to power, he was not just a chip off the ole’ brick, he was a cement block. My point being he did not care for the country’s well being let alone lead it. Baby Doc spend to his heart's desire straight from the country’s pocket. Time Magazine wrote “ The cash went on furs, jewels, shopping trips to Paris, Givenchy gowns, champagne parties and gold and lapis fittings for the palace bathrooms” (Time). This quote further accentuates that fact that due to both Papa and Baby Docs spending at the country's expense it has been pushed back economically.

The Duvalier’s being regarded as some of the most corrupt political leaders but not only did they both spend countless tax dollars on frivolous commodities but imposed a rule of terror that has scared the country ever since. Papa Doc showed clear signs of sociopathic mentalities during his reign with little to no consideration or mercy towards the inhabitants of his country even political figures weren't safe especially those who would run against him. Time Magazine wrote “ He would often send his secret policemen tontons macoutes (Creole for boogeymen) to murder and torture his opponents” (Time). This quote states those who would attempt to take his power away were taken care of. These actions influenced the people he over, terrorizing them only to show he ruled with an iron fist. Papa doc not only proved his imposition of fear by killing his opponents but often slaughtered innocence to strengthen his rule. LatinAmericanStudies.org wrote “ Duvalier entrenched his rule through terror with a death tole of an estimated 30,000 Haitians” (Latin). This quote illustrates a picture of horror, the heaps of dead littering a country who was no stranger to brutality.

Most think that the cause for Haiti's poverty was mostly to do with its recent earthquake in 2010,this wasn't the cause but only made matters worse for the future of the country.

The devastation of the earthquake was mighty and shook the land far and wide leaving most of its structures decimated. This disaster did everything but help Haiti, with its already crippled economy this caused its inhabitants employment rate to plummet draining whatever it had left. An article published by the Daily Beast wrote “ six months after the earthquake, collapsed buildings still odone the landscapes; millions of Haitians continue to live in makeshift tent cities” (Daily). This quote really paints the idea that Haiti is in utter despair with most of its populace homeless and jobless. The fact that even a half a year past the initial strike Haiti can't get on its feet shows the crippling nature of its past and how it affect the present. Not only have most of Haiti's population are homeless but many have fled in panic and hysteria. In the documentary The Quake it was said “Since the earthquake upwards of 60,000 Haitians have fled Port au Prince searching for food work and shelter” (Quake). The distress of the Haitian people caused by the earthquake furthur shows how easily Haiti's will can be broke, and it is no secret that the country's past is the cause of

this.

Ever since Haiti's birth into a country in 1804 it has experienced nothing but hardships and deprivation. With its history it isn't hard to say that all of the events that took place in the country caused the populations misfortune. The recent earthquake in 2010 was not the only factor against their advancement, one that cultivated long before it with more devastation. Even before the 18th century Haiti was cursed by the involvement of the conquering French whom cut down almost all of the trees for resources, this although hundreds of years ago played more a factor than you would think. But soon after Haiti broke free of the French the country was governed by one of the most harsh and malevolent ‘presidents’ this world has seen who did not hesitate to torture its populace. Lastly the notorious earthquake that raised Haiti to the ground, drained whatever the country had left, leaving it but a dry husk.