CRS - The U.S. Occupation of Haiti, 1915-1934
- The U.S. occupied Haiti from 1915 to 1934 to prevent European intervention and stabilize the country.
- The occupation led to infrastructure development and improved healthcare access.
- The U.S. consolidated Haitian debt through a $16 million loan.
- The U.S. military suppressed guerrilla resistance, resulting in significant Haitian casualties.
- Racial discrimination by U.S. officials undermined development efforts and fostered resentment.
In 1915, the United States initiated a military occupation of Haiti, motivated by concerns over European intervention, internal strife, and financial instability. The nineteen-year occupation involved U.S. military and civilian personnel overseeing tax collection, revenue disbursement, public order maintenance, and public works projects. While the Haitian government remained nominally in place, it was subject to U.S. guidance. The occupation brought an end to political violence and led to infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, and ports, as well as improved healthcare access. However, the U.S. presence was widely resented, and many of the occupation's achievements proved unsustainable after its termination in 1934.
How to cite
Congressional Research Service (CRS), 1994, CRS - The U.S. Occupation of Haiti, 1915-1934, accessed via HaitiDocs, https://www.haitidocs.org/doc/crs-1994-u-s-occupation-haiti-1915-1934