Monday, August 11, 2014

Geffrard in 1878


Former president Fabre-Nicholas Geffrard, 1859-1867. Geffrard, like so many 19th century Haitian presidents, was a military man or came to power through the military. And like many other Haitian presidents, Geffrard was overthrown and chose exile to Jamaica, which must have made Kingston quite the interesting city for Haitian political exiles and future dissidents. From what I recall from other sources, Geffrard established a law school, put on a 'tough' face against Haitian Vodou for international observers (read this), established relations with the Vatican, endeavored to attract African-American immigrants, and relied on the British to put down an early coup before finally fleeing to Jamaica under Sylvain's successful coup in 1867. 

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