Kingdom of Haiti
The Kingdom of Haiti is a vast island nation in the Caribbean Sea. Established by Jean-Pierre Boyer in 1819, the nation has gone on to spread across the Greater and Lesser Antilles Islands. The current King of Haiti is Laurent I.
Culture
The culture of Haiti is diverse. Being a mix of former Spanish, French, and British colonial possessions, with that of indigenous and African mixes, Haiti has developed a creole culture that is unlike anywhere else in the world.
Public Agenda
It is believed by outside powers that Haiti and the ruling House of Christophe intends to engulf the entirety of the Caribbean under their rule. This is why the exonym of the Empire of the Caribbean is used as a slight as much as a reference. Though the rulers and politicians of Haiti have expressed only the desire to unite former French colonies into their fold, their incorporation of Puerto Rico and Jamaica have been seen by many as a betrayal of that sentiment.
History
Haiti was the jewel of the French Caribbean Empire, contributing more wealth than any other colony, with more slaves going to the island than any other in the Americas save fore Brazil. 87% of the Haitian population were enslaved Africans. In 1791, the slave population revolted against the French overseers, with the revolutionaries being led by Toussaint Louverture.
In 1798, with the outbreak of the First Franco-American War, Haiti received funding and training from American military officers.
Toussaint Louverture began the War of the Knives against his rival, Andre Rigaud, in 1799. America sent military support, and with their help, Louverture was able to secure the island of Saint Dominique for himself. Rigaud, along with Alexandre Petion and Jean-Pierre Boyer, were exiled from the island.
Napoleon still planned to reimplement slavery in Saint Dominique by 1802. Petion and Boyer learned of this in Paris, and head back to Saint Dominique to warn Louverture. Louverture did believe them initially, until the French restored the institution in Martinique and Guadalupe. Louverture drafted a separate constitution for Saint Dominique, though the kings of America and Britain attempted to pressure him to declare independence. However, he still attempted to govern the island as a part of France, but his forced labor policy grew unpopular.
Louverture defeated his old friend, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, in the War of the Grasses in 1805, with the help of the Americans, successfully consolidating his power over the entire island of Hispaniola. Henri Christoff, who sided with Dessalines, went into exile in Jamaica. Petition and Boyer sided with Louverture.
Toussaint Louverture died in 1807, and his handpicked successor Pettion took power. America and Britain continued their pressure to have Haiti declare its independence. It wasn't until 1817 when Alexandre Petion declares Haiti independence from France with himself as head of state.
Pettion died in Haiti in 1818, with a provisional government in place, and his handpicked successor Jean-Pierre Boyer became the head. The next year, Boyer, on the endorsement of the Haitian political elite and the example of America, declares himself King.
In 1821, King Jean I invaded and annexed the Spanish portion of the island, declaring a united Hispaniola under the Haitian identity. It was not until 1891 with the marriage of King Henri II and Clemencia Antonia Bobadilla that tensions between the two sides began to subside.
In 1825, France demanded indemnity from Haiti in return for recognizing independence. With the support of Augustus II of America and Vicente I of Mexico, Haiti was able to resist for some time as France was no longer confident against all three nations. The following year, France agreed to a total of 50 million francs, one third of the original demands, to be paid by Haiti in installments. America agreed to cover half the cost in exchange for Haiti becoming an American protectorate.
In 1826, Haiti also held negotiations between Brazil and Argentina, ending the Cisplatine War.
There still existed political turmoil between the Mulatos, who were of mixed ancestry, and the blacks of the island of Haiti by 1829. At the same time, Jean I sought to resolve the succession crisis since he only had daughters. To attempt to settle both, Jean I proposed marriage between his consort’s daughter, Marie-Joseph Laraque, and the son of his former rival, Henri Christophe. The marriage was attended by Crown Prince William and Princess Ana of America and Emperor Pedro I of Brazil. During the visit, Jean I signed the Continental Ordinance,agreeing to oppose European interference in the Americas. Jean discussed the issue of slavery with both William and Pedro. Jean also voiced his opposition to Pedro abdicating and returning to Europe and keep Brazil as a major regional power.
During the French Civil War and the eventual partition, Haiti demanded France officially recognize Haitian independence and forgive the remaining indemnity balance. The new government of France refused, but had little enforcement power. Haiti suspended payments regardless. Henri also used the turmoil to annex Martinique and Guadeloupe in 1855.
In 1860, Haiti also used the revolt in French Guiana, only to sell it to Brazil in 1863. Henri II used the finances to bolster the Haitian navy.
During the Cuban War for Independence, Haiti exploited the crisis between Colombia and America over Cuba to capture and annex Puerto Rico. It was at this time Haiti became known unofficially as the Empire of the Caribbean.
In 1881, Prince Royale Pierre graduated from the American Royal Military Academy. When he took the throne in 1893, he used his training to implement reforms to the Haitian military, transforming them into a formidable force.
Follow the Great War, Haiti supported the insurrections in Jamaica in order to overthrow their British overlords. Jamaica then joined Haiti.
Territories
Haiti encomnpasses most of the Lesser and Greater Antilles Islands, including the major islands of Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola.
Foreign Relations
Haiti has always been a strong allie of the Kingdom of America since its inception.
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Ex cineribus nascitur, "Reborn from the ashes"
Founding Date
1819
Alternative Names
Empire of the Caribbean, Empire of the Antilles
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Demonym
Haitian
Leader
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Founders
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Gourde
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