Outline of James Ferguson PAPA DOC, BABY DOC: HAITI AND THE DUVALIERS

Oxford, UK. New World, NY. B. Blackwell, 1987. 171 pages.

Notes: by Bob Corbett

Preface

1. "The aim of this book is to describe the events and circumstances which led to the rise and fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in Haiti."

CHAPTER 1 PP. 1-29 INDEPENDENCE AND OCCUPATION

Dec. 6, 1492 Columbus landed. The Taino Arawak Indians were there.

Bartolome de las Casas campaigned against Indians slavery. Thus in 1520 Black slavery began.

• p. 2 "Hispaniola with its gold quickly exhausted..." Whose was this gold? D.R./Haiti or imported?
• p. 3. Marrons --from Spanish cimarron--wild
• p. 5 1789 population estimated 28,000 Mulatto.
• p. 6. Aug. 15, 1791. Bois-Caiman nean Gros-Morne Boukman Voodoo ceremony.
• p. 8. Toussaint "The first among the blacks" in letter to Napoleon.
• p. 10 He died Nov. 2, 1802.
• p. 12 following Citadelle
• p. 15 Boyer's rule.
• p. 16 1820--1843 Boyer trends form the basis of modern economic and political trends in Haiti.
• p. 17. French debt. 1922 finally finished.
• p. 20. Fall of Geffrard in 1867 marked the beginning of period of chronic political instability. 1867--1915
• p. 21. End of 19th century. est. 80% of budget devoted to debt repayment.
• p. 21. Salnave offered U.S. naval base at Mole St. Nicola
• p. 23--29 on occupation July 28, 1915 Bizonton.

CHAPTER 2 PP. 30--59. PAPA DOC: MYSTIFICATION AND DICTATORSHIP 1957--1971.

• p. 38 begins the section on president Duvalier Oct. 1957 merchants closed shops. Duvalier used Cagoulards (hooded men).
  second he went after newspapers
  third new general: March 1958.
  Invasions p. 41 ff.
  June 28, 1958 Deputy Sheriffs by taptap. Took over Dessalines Barracks. Duvalier ready to flee, but they send a hostage out to get cigarettes. He allerted the Army, and all invaders were killed.

  2nd invasion Mid-Aug. 30 guerrillas at Southern tip.

• p. 43 Fall of Batista in Jan. 1959 and increased communist threat put Papa Doc in good position of bargaining with U.S. U.S. relations

  Cri de Jacmel Cry from Jacmel June, 1960. Threat to "turn elsewhere for aid."

  Oct. 22, 1961 fraudelent 2nd term. Name on all ballots. 6 year term.

  Jan. 1962 U.S. traded vote to exclude Cuba from OAS in exchange for money to build the airport.

• p. 47 ff. General Leon Cantave led several attacks across Dominican border.
• p. 48 Jeune Haiti and the attacks in reprisal against the Sansariq family.
• p. 49. Lord's prayer ala Duvalier + other catechism.
• p. 50 Quote of Duvalier's strict anti-communism. Duvalier's book: Memoirs of A Third World Leader (1969)
• p. 51-52. Film and book The Comedians. Film shot in Dahomey (now Benin).
• p. 53. Dec. 1968 Marron inconnu statue of Marron unveiled. suburb Boutilier
• p. 55 July 1969 Rockerfeller visit increased tourism + beginnings of off-shore plants and baseball
• p. 56 Jean-Claude ratified 2,391,916 for and 1 against. Between 30,000 and 60,000 killed. Many others exiled or brutalized.
• p. 57. Haiti had become the poorest nation in the hemisphere.

CHAPTER 3 PP. 60--89 BABY DOC: DYNASTIC CORRUPTION, 1971-1986

Installed April 22, 1971.

MAIN HAITI PAGE

HOME