Haiti: The Aftershocks of History

A leading historian traces Haiti's devastating present back to its turbulent past, illuminating the foundations on which a new future might be built

Haiti has long been known as a place of poverty and corruption, but as acclaimed historian Laurent Dubois reveals, the nation's troubled present is inextricably rooted in its complex past. Haiti: The Aftershocks of History examines the country's founding revolution-the only successful slave revolt in history-and the intense struggle to define its newfound freedom. Dubois vividly depicts the isolation and impoverishment that followed the 1804 uprising, detailing how the crushing indemnity imposed by former French rulers initiated a devastating cycle of debt, while frequent interventions by the United States further undermined Haiti's independence.

At the same time, Dubois shows how internal debates alienated Haiti's leaders from the broader population, setting the stage for enduring political conflict. Yet as he demonstrates, the Haitian people have never given up on their struggle for true democracy, creating a powerful culture insistent on autonomy and equality for all. Revealing what lies behind the moniker of "the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere," this indispensable book illuminates the foundations on which a new Haiti might yet emerge.