Francois Duvalier“Papa Doc”

By Sarah Petriew and Lanieca Falkenberg

Born: April 14, 1907Died: April 21, 1971

In power for 14 years from

1957- His Death

Country Before Duvalier…Haiti had a long line of dictatorship before attempting democracy in which Papa Doc Destroyed.

Already poor country-No electricity-No water-No sewage-No medical care-No public schooling

The economy was failing because of international forces like France and the United States.

Dictatorship and Rejected Liberalism

Dictatorship was not the first option. The Haitian people were trying democracy for the first time.

Took advantage of democracy and declared himself “president for life”.

Individualism was rejected and anyone who was against Duvalier was murdered, or exiled.

Papa Doc’s Power

Well known doctor

Became part of government as public health services minister

Previous government was overthrown

In 1956 he ran democratically for president and won

How he kept his dictatorship

-Propaganda-Ton Ton Macoutes-Terror-Army was used to protect him-Voodoo-Rigged the next election-Changed the constitution so he was

president for life

Under DuvalierHaiti was always a poor country but when Duvalier came into power he turned them to economic ruin

-Resisted ties with the international community

-Any money given to help their situation he put in his own pockets

-Anyone who spoke up was murdered (anywhere between 30000 and 60000 people were killed)

The United States was angry with the rigged election but still offered aid but there were strings attached and the money was refused.

Destruction of Dictatorship

Duvalier had power until his death.However Baby Doc immediately gained power.Dictatorship wasn’t destroyed until Baby Doc fled.

Evaluation

Haiti is worse off now then when Duvalier was in power.

Time in Power...

During his time in power he did not solve any of Haiti’s problems, only made them worse.

BibliographySchott, Ian. "Papa Doc: Voodoo Gangster." World Famous Dictators. London: Constable & Robinson, 2004. 27-43. Print.

Nicholls, David. "Preface." Preface. From Dessalines to Duvalier: Race, Colour and National Independence in Haiti. London: Macmillan, 1988. 1-29. Print.

Corbett, Bob. "Why Is Haiti so Poor?" Webster University. 1986. Web. 10 Nov. 2010.

Harris, Bruce. "The Duvaliers Killer File." Moreorless - Heroes and Killers of the 20th Century. 1 June 2010. Web. 10 Nov. 2010.

Laguerre, Eusau. "Francois Duvalier 1957-71." History of Haiti. U.S Library of Congress, 2010. Web. 10 Nov. 2010.