Haitian Commune

## Commune of Haitian Socialists

One of the only socialist states in the world is Haiti as they gained independence in January 1st 1804 during the struggle in France. After achieving independence they remained relatively isolated from the international community, with the exception of its neighbor, the Dominican. (Fuck you it exists now)

## The Wild Ride

When General Faustin Soulouqe declared himself Emperor of Haiti, the people were bothered, but tolerated. When he failed to crack down on Dixie's smuggling, they tolerated. When his invasions of the Dominican Republic were met with disaster, the people were pissed, but tolerated. When Dominican troops started to cross the border following Faustin's attempted genocide of mullatos, discontent swelled. When Dominican forces stormed Port-au-Prince, the people had enough. They revolted, in what was considered by many the Second Haitian Revolution, many Haitians collaborating with the Dominican to overthrow Faustin. When the dust settled, a new republic was declared in 1859. With Faustin gone and the Dominicans focused on their own problems, it seemed a new era of stability and fairness would take hold in the nation.

### False alarm, Haiti is still shit

Disaster struck when the Haitian government violently put down a strike, which only sparked more, each met with the same fate. Hero of the Second Revolution, General Fabre Geffard, led a coup against the now extremely unpopular government. His reign was ended by a bullet to the chest in the Summer of 1865. What followed was a string of coups and counter-coups, a surge in Anarchism, a Dominican occupation and annexation of the regions of Nord-Est and Nord in 1867, all of which allowed Dixie smugglers to work unopposed, creating further unrest. These factors culminated in a brief civil war in 1869.

## The Haitian Civil War

The Haitian Civil War, lasting from from March of 1869 to January 1870, saw the nation split into three factions. The Revolutionary Front (Red), the Democratic League (Green), and Geffrard loyalists. (Black.) Additionally, minor skirmishes took place in Dominican occupied lands (white.)

The war was swift. Geffrard Loyalists focused their attention on the North first in an attempt to quickly defeat the Democratic League before focusing its attention on the Revolutionary Front. This proved disasterous as a large part of their forces were destroyed in a blunder at Massiade, followed by a counter-offensive from the Democratic League that saw heavy losses on both sides. Meanwhile the Revolutionary Front focused its efforts on capturing Gonave Island, which proved successful. This allowed the Northern and Southern forces of the front to co-ordinate their efforts, launching several simultaneous offensives that saw the Geffrad Loyalists in the North and the Democratic League crushed, as well as large swathes of the South falling to the Front. Within months the Front had all but defeated its opponents, finally capturing Port-au-Prince in December and declaring the Free Haitian Territory.

In spite of the war's short duration, much of the country was heavily damaged, resulting in a large amount of refugees from the nation, some of which fell right into the hands of white smugglers from the Dominion of Dixieland.

## The Free Haitian Territory (1870-1900)

### The good ol' days

The Free Haitian Territory was a strange entity. Combining the practices of Haitian Vodou with Anarchist Ideals, it enjoyed the support of the majority of the population throughout its rule of the nation, which was mostly that of peace and stability. Tensions with the Dominican were at an all-time low, workers rights were secured, Dixie smugglers' activities were in decline and being opposed, and overall the people were happy with their government. This wouldn't last, however, as the year 1899 saw an invasion by the Dominican.

### Dominican Invasion

In May of 1899, Dominican forces invaded the region of Nord-Quest, as an attempt by Dominican Dictator Ulises Heureaux to assert dominance over the presumably weak nation. Miraculously, the notoriously incompetent Ulises was met with initial success, driving the Haitians back to Port-de-Paix and securing major victories over Haitian armed forces. This didn't last long however, as Ulises was assasinated in July, forcing a withdrawal of Dominican forces. In spite of this, the damage was done, and the people sought change.

## The Commune of Haitian Socialists

### The New Haiti

Change came in 1900, when the various Communes of Haiti banded together to form the Commune of Haitian Socialists. The Commune's government included Vodou practices similarly to its predecessor, this time combined with Socialism. The Commune's initial objectives were to industrialize the nation, form a strong military, and secure control of the nation. This was met with meager success, and today the Commune stands as a relatively poor state, isolated internationally. Tensions with the Dominican are likely to soon boil over, especially with the repatriation of Haitians from annexed lands and an increase in military build-up from both states.