Impact of Haiti's Past on its Present



Abstract

This study deals with the Haiti's History, and highlights events from the time of the Revolution onwards, which have had a major impact upon Haitian life into the present day. These historical events of Haiti have a contributory factor on the 2010 earthquake that had devastating impact upon the country and subsequent efforts to rebuild. This study proves these facts from the political, legal, social, and cultural perspectives that past practices that play a major in future development. For example impact of racism, debts, and continues history of invasions and violence resulted in problems for political and economic stability of this state.

Impact of Haiti's Past on its Present

Introduction

Past has major impact on the present; it is widely accepted notion that history always repeats itself (Jayapalan,2002, p.39-48). Historical perspectives not only assist in understanding the reason for past mistake, but also provide us the causes for the present consequences. This reflects the idea that how historical perspectives can assist in understanding our future. It is not just the history that provides us information, but present and future are always affected with the past decisions and mistakes. There are various social, political, and other problems that are results from the past mistakes that lead various states to suffer and collapse. Apart from this, climatic changes and global environmental effects are also important factors which have major impact on the world and affecting economic conditions of the States. Earthquake of Haiti is one of such devastating event that resulted in the death of thousands of people and massive destruction and its aftermath and sufferings of these lead to understand the reason from the history of this region.

Discussion

Learning from discoveries of past mistakes and destructive choices, provides best prevention from future destructions (Nichols, 2008). It provides guidance and preventions by examples of past mistakes. It also assists in looking for the solution of various problems (Wagner, 2008). One of the most important factor is that history assist in identifying the complete rule and system of developing civilization and governance of state. Haiti in modern world faced various problems due to its political and social history and governance of state.

Racial Caste System in Haiti Prior To the Revolution

The worst impact of the earthquake on Haiti is an example of the racial discrimination and prejudice against Blacks of Haiti. These people are not able to help themselves, nor even able to recover due to their social and economic backgrounds and problems suffered in the past. With the history of slavery and economic crisis, these people are not even able to recover their losses. Another major reason for their suffering is the racial biases and prejudices that result due to their color and hatred between Blacks and Whites. Racial discrimination and caste system is always a major problem in the history of America. Slavery was also a major issue, which lead to the Haitian Revolution during 1791-1804 (Ceravino, 2012). This slave revolt was a major reason for ...