Haiti was first discovered on August 3, 1492, by Christopher Columbus. There was a large group of Taino/Arawak people. Some say there was around half a million in their group. The Spanish saw that Hispaniola had good land. They converted it into a farming region. The Spainish was first using the Taino/Arawak people to do their farming, but then African American slaves became the primary labor source. This began as early as 1508.
In 1697, the Spanish needed another bargaining chip and ceded the western portion of Hispaniola to the French. The island was then divided. The eastern Spainish portion was called Santo Domingo. The western French portion was called St. Dominic. Then there was a French period.
The french had many slaves. In 1791 there were around 500,000 slaves and only 50,000 free people.
In 1791 the Haitian Revelation began. There was many revolts of slaves and attempts of social change. Napeolon send a force to win the colony back securely for France in 1802. France was defeated. On January 1, 1084, Haiti was proclaimed. It was an all black country.
