François Duvalier (1907-1971)

Country:Haiti
Nom De Guerre:Poppa Doc

Death Count:10,000-20,000
Avg. Rating:6.3
Survey Rank:N/A

Came To Power:Disputed Election

Offices Held:
  1. President
  2. President for Life

Career Highlights: Born in 1907 in Port-au-Prince Haiti François Duvalier is initially trained as a physician. He receives his degree in medicine from the University of Haiti in 1934 where he serves on the hospital staff until 1943.

1946-1950: Duvalier resigns his hospital post to join an American sponsored campaign to stop the spread of the tropical disease "yaws" (a contageous form of treponematosis that results in crippling bone loss). As a result of this work, Duvalier develops a reputation as something of a humanitarian. During this same period, He becomes a member of Le Groupe des Griots, a nationalist group with an interest in Vudun mysticism and black identity politics.

1946-1950: Students and workers strike and hold violent protests in opposition to President Elie Lescot. Three military officers seize power and establish Dumarsais Estimé as President of the Republic of Haiti. Estimé places Duvalier in charge of the National Health Service and in 1948 appoints him Minister of Health. In 1950, however, when Estimé tries to extend his term, he is ousted by the military. Colonel Paul E. Magloire is elected president in a plebiscite.

1950-1957: Duvalier returns to his work with the U.S. sponsored mission and begins organizing against the military government. In 1951 his son Jean-Claude is born. By 1954, Duvalier has become the most prominent opposition figure and is forced to go into hiding.

In 1956, Magloire attempts to extend his term and he, in turn, is forced to resign by his former allies in December. The military declares a general amnesty, and Duvalier is able to emerge from hiding. In the next 10 months six governments are formed and fall.

1957-1964: Now with Army backing, Duvalier is elected to a six year term as President taking office September 22, 1957 and promising to end the domination of Haiti's mulatto elite. An unsuccessful coup attempt in June of 1958 provides Duvalier with a pretext to purge the armed forces. Younger officers are installed. The military academy is closed and the size of the army is greatly reduced.

With his chief aide Clément Barbot, Duvalier begins building his personal security force: the Volunteers for National Security or Tontons Macoute ('Bogeymen') believed to number between 10,000 and 15,000 and used to terrorize Duvalier's opponents. Initially drawn from the slums of Port-au-Prince, the Totons are provided with heirloom weapons and no salary relying on petty crime and classic extortion schemes to earn their keep.

In 1959 Duvalier suffers a heart attack. Barbot rules in his stead. Upon Duvalier's recovery, Barbot is immediately arrested and imprisoned. Later that year a group of armed Haitian and Cuban exiles land in southern Haiti. They are, however, quickly rebuffed by the Haitian Army (with the assistance of U.S. Marine advisors)

In 1961 Duvalier calls for early elections and is overwhelmingly "reelected" to a fresh 6 year term now scheduled to end in 1967. The U.S. ends aid to Haiti. Barbot is released from prison and begins organizing against Duvalier. In 1963 Barbot's activities are uncovered. He is arrested and killed.

1964-1971: Having disposed of effective opposition, Duvalier has himself elected President for Life in 1964 and begins to promote a Vudun centered cult of personality. He is excommunicated by the Catholic Church until 1966. Per capita income in Haiti sinks to $90US (the lowest in the western hemisphere). Following an attempt on his life in 1970, Duvalier executes 19 members of the Presidential Guard.

1971-1984: In 1971 Duvalier dies having appointed his son Jean-Claude as his successor. Although Jean-Claude holds power until 1986 when he is forced to flee in the face of a widespread popular and utlimately military revolt.

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François Duvalier

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