Even before the January 2010 earthquake, Haiti was rarely mentioned in the media without a reminder that it is “the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.”
But Haiti was not always an impoverished nation, vulnerable to natural disasters. The country was once one of the most agriculturally productive and profitable colonies in the world, and has a rich tradition of political independence and participation. What went wrong for Haiti?
Click the buttons below to explore the key moments in our timeline of Haiti’s history.
If you want to find out more about Haiti’s history, politics, and culture, check out our Haiti Resources page for recommendations on books, movies, websites, and articles.