◎ NATIVE
Around AD 600 the Taino Indians migrant to Haiti. They were known as the earliest settlers in Haiti. In 1492 Columbus arrived Haiti, and that was the beginning of the huge change of the island. At the beginning, all the Taino treated Columbus as special guest and was more than welcome to please Columbus and the other sailors to stay. But after Columbus’s second arrive the situation was totally different. Despite of the friendly Taino, the Spaniards never decided to be friend with the Natives. The army arrived the island and turned the land into bloody field.
In the next 150 years the native population of Haiti strongly decreased and nearly extinct. The reasons for that are first, the Spanish army held better weapon and more developed technology in which they killed a lot of Natives in the battle. Second, the Europeans brought diseases with them to America. Even though they didn't realize that but most of the native population didn't have immunity to defeat those pathogen. That was one of the major reason of population decrease. Also, after Spain dominated the island, many Natives were forced to become labors. Such harsh condition further push the Native population into a cliff.
- Research shows that in 1492 when Columbus first arrive Haiti there was about 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 Natives in the island.
- In 1531, about 40 years after, there was only 600 Natives survived.
In the next 150 years the native population of Haiti strongly decreased and nearly extinct. The reasons for that are first, the Spanish army held better weapon and more developed technology in which they killed a lot of Natives in the battle. Second, the Europeans brought diseases with them to America. Even though they didn't realize that but most of the native population didn't have immunity to defeat those pathogen. That was one of the major reason of population decrease. Also, after Spain dominated the island, many Natives were forced to become labors. Such harsh condition further push the Native population into a cliff.
◎ immigration
After huge population of Native died Spaniard realized that they need other labor source. Therefore they decided to import African Slaves. Between 1764 and 1771 about 15,000 slaves were import from Africa each year. By 1789 the population of slaves surpassed the population of whites. There was totaled 500,000 African slaves and only 32,000 white in 1972. These slaves contributed to the rapid economic growth of the island. However, the large population of slave didn’t make French to stop import slaves. That was because most of the slaves in Haiti couldn’t live for a long time. Statistic shows that the average age of slaves in Haiti was 23, and most of the slaves could only live 7 years after they were captured and sent to Haiti.
To take a look at the working and living condition of slaves you might have better sense of why the dead rate of slaves was so high. The picture on the left hand side is part of the Code Noir, enacted by Louis XIV, to regulate the slaves in Haiti.
It shows that slaves were born inferior and they could be sell or buy just like goods. The law also clearly stated the cruel punishments.
To take a look at the working and living condition of slaves you might have better sense of why the dead rate of slaves was so high. The picture on the left hand side is part of the Code Noir, enacted by Louis XIV, to regulate the slaves in Haiti.
- “Fugitive slaves absent for a month should have their ears cut off and be branded. For another month their hamstring would be cut and they would be branded again. A third time they would be executed (art. 38)”
- “Slaves were community property and could not be mortgaged, and must be equally split between the master's inheritors, but could be used as payment in case of debt or bankruptcy, and otherwise sold
It shows that slaves were born inferior and they could be sell or buy just like goods. The law also clearly stated the cruel punishments.