1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code 94-459 FMay 26, 1994The U.S. Occupation of Haiti, 1915-1934Richard A. Best, Jr.Analyst in National DefenseForeign Affairs and National Defense DivisionSummaryIn 1915, the United States
2、 undertook a military occupation of Haiti to preempt anyEuropean intervention, to establish order out of civil strife, and to stabilize Haitianfinances. During the nineteen-year occupation, U.S. military and civilian officials,numbering less than 2500 for the most part, supervised the collection of
3、taxes and thedisbursement of revenues, maintained public order, and initiated a program of publicworks. The Haitian government remained in place, but was subject to U.S. guidance.The Haitian people benefitted from the end of endemic political violence and from theconstruction of roads, bridges, and
4、ports as well as from improved access to health care.The U.S. occupation was, nonetheless, deeply resented throughout Haitian society, andmany of its accomplishments did not long endure its termination in 1934.BackgroundIn the early twentieth century, Haiti suffered from a tumultuous political life