When we think about the horrific events of the 20th century, our minds often go to the atrocities that happened during and between the World Wars. While events like the Armenian genocide, the Rape of Nanking, and Kristallnacht are well-known, another tragic ethnic cleansing occurred on an island nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. This event, known as the 1937 Haitian Massacre, has deep historical roots that trace back to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.
In 1492, Columbus landed on the Caribbean island later named Hispaniola, marking the beginning of European colonization. The indigenous Taíno people suffered greatly due to violence and disease brought by the Europeans. To exploit the island’s resources, particularly sugar, Europeans imported large numbers of enslaved Africans.
By 1777, Hispaniola was divided into two regions: one controlled by the French and the other by the Spanish. A significant slave revolt led to Haiti’s independence from France in 1804, making it the first Black republic in the world. However, Haiti faced numerous challenges, including economic isolation and crippling debt imposed by its former colonizers. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic declared its independence by first overthrowing Haitian rule and later resisting Spanish and American colonial influences.
Despite a history of cooperation, many Dominican elites viewed Haiti as a racial threat, fearing it could harm their political and economic ties with Western nations. After World War I, the United States occupied both Haiti and the Dominican Republic to strengthen its influence in the region. This occupation dismantled local opposition and installed governments favorable to U.S. interests. The harsh nature of the U.S. occupation, especially along the border, laid the groundwork for future violence.
In 1930, Rafael Trujillo seized power in the Dominican Republic by overthrowing President Horacio Vásquez. Despite having Haitian ancestry, Trujillo saw the bicultural border area as a threat to his authority. On October 2, 1937, he announced a campaign to kill Haitians living along the border, claiming it was to protect Dominican farmers. Over the following weeks, the Dominican military, under Trujillo’s orders, brutally murdered thousands of Haitian men, women, and even children born in the Dominican Republic.
The military targeted Black Haitians, although many Dominicans were also dark-skinned. Some reports suggest that the killers used a language test to identify Haitians, forcing them to pronounce the Spanish word for parsley. Dominicans pronounced it with a trilled “r,” a sound not present in Haitian Kreyol. Those who struggled with the pronunciation were identified as Haitian and killed.
However, recent research indicates that language tests were not the sole method used, as many residents were bilingual. The Dominican government censored news about the massacre and disposed of bodies to conceal the evidence. Consequently, the exact number of victims remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from 4,000 to 15,000. Observers noted the widespread violence, with reports indicating that the region was largely devoid of Haitians after the massacre.
The Dominican government attempted to deflect responsibility, blaming the violence on vigilante groups. Nonetheless, Trujillo faced international condemnation. Ultimately, the Dominican government was forced to pay $525,000 in reparations to Haiti, but due to corruption, very little of this money reached the survivors or their families. Neither Trujillo nor his government faced any punishment for these crimes against humanity.
The legacy of the massacre continues to strain relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Activists from both countries have worked to heal the wounds of the past, but the Dominican state has done little to officially acknowledge the massacre or its victims. The memory of the 1937 Haitian Massacre serves as a powerful reminder of how leaders driven by power can sow division and incite violence among neighboring communities.
Conduct in-depth research on the 1937 Haitian Massacre, focusing on its causes, events, and aftermath. Prepare a presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting lesser-known facts and perspectives. Use multimedia elements such as images, maps, and videos to enhance your presentation.
Participate in a role-playing debate where you assume the roles of historical figures involved in or affected by the massacre. This could include Rafael Trujillo, Haitian survivors, Dominican citizens, or international observers. Argue your character’s perspective on the events and discuss possible alternative outcomes.
Watch a documentary about the 1937 Haitian Massacre and its impact on Haitian-Dominican relations. After the screening, engage in a group discussion to analyze the documentary’s portrayal of events and its effectiveness in conveying the historical context and legacy of the massacre.
Write a short story or a series of diary entries from the perspective of someone living through the events of the 1937 Haitian Massacre. Focus on capturing the emotional and social impact of the massacre on individuals and communities. Share your work with classmates for feedback and discussion.
Write an essay comparing the 1937 Haitian Massacre with another historical event of ethnic cleansing or genocide. Analyze the similarities and differences in causes, execution, and international response. Discuss what lessons can be learned from these events to prevent future atrocities.
When historians discuss the atrocities of the 20th century, we often think of events that occurred during and between the two World Wars. Alongside the Armenian genocide, the Rape of Nanking, and Kristallnacht, another horrific ethnic cleansing campaign took place on an island between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The roots of this conflict trace back to 1492, when Christopher Columbus arrived at the Caribbean island that would be named Hispaniola, initiating a wave of European colonization. The island’s Taíno natives faced devastation from violence and disease, while Europeans imported large numbers of enslaved Africans to work on profitable sugar plantations.
By 1777, the island was divided between French-controlled and Spanish-controlled regions. A mass slave revolt led to Haiti gaining independence from France in 1804, becoming the world’s first Black republic. However, the new nation faced significant challenges, being excluded from the world economy and burdened with debt from its former colonizers. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic declared independence by first overthrowing Haitian rule and later resisting Spanish and American colonialism.
Despite a long history of collaboration, many Dominican elites perceived Haiti as a racial threat that jeopardized political and commercial relations with Western nations. Following World War I, the United States occupied both parts of the island to secure its influence in the Western hemisphere, dismantling local opposition and installing friendly governments. The brutal nature of the U.S. occupation, particularly along the Dominican-Haitian border, set the stage for further atrocities after their withdrawal.
In 1930, Dominican President Horacio Vásquez was overthrown by Rafael Trujillo, who, despite having Haitian ancestry, viewed the bicultural borderland as a threat to his power. In a speech on October 2, 1937, Trujillo announced the killing of Haitians along the border, claiming to protect Dominican farmers. Over the following weeks, the Dominican military, acting on Trujillo’s orders, murdered thousands of Haitian men, women, and even Dominican-born children.
The military specifically targeted Black Haitians, despite many Dominicans also being dark-skinned. Some accounts suggest that to differentiate between the two groups, the killers forced victims to pronounce the Spanish word for parsley. Dominicans pronounce it with a trilled “r,” while the primary Haitian language, Kreyol, does not use this sound. Those who struggled to say the word were deemed Haitian and killed.
Recent scholarship indicates that language tests were not the only criteria for determining who would be murdered, as many residents were bilingual. The Dominican government censored news of the massacre, disposing of bodies to hide the evidence. As a result, the exact number of victims remains unknown, with estimates ranging from 4,000 to 15,000. Observers noted the extent of the violence, with reports indicating that the area was largely devoid of Haitians following the killings.
The Dominican government attempted to deny responsibility, blaming the violence on vigilante groups, but Trujillo faced international condemnation. Ultimately, the Dominican government was compelled to pay $525,000 in reparations to Haiti, but due to corruption, very little of this reached survivors or their families. Neither Trujillo nor his government faced punishment for these crimes against humanity.
The legacy of the massacre continues to create tension between the two countries. Activists on both sides have sought to heal the wounds of the past, but the Dominican state has done little to officially commemorate the massacre or its victims. The memory of the Haitian massacre serves as a stark reminder of how power-hungry leaders can incite division among neighboring communities.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – The history of the Roman Empire provides valuable insights into the rise and fall of powerful civilizations.
Massacre – The indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of many people. – The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in 1572 was a turning point in the French Wars of Religion.
Haiti – A Caribbean country that shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic to the east. – Haiti was the first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean, gaining independence from France in 1804.
Dominican – Relating to the Dominican Republic, a country on the island of Hispaniola, east of Haiti. – The Dominican Republic has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its indigenous, African, and Spanish roots.
Trujillo – Referring to Rafael Trujillo, a Dominican dictator who ruled the Dominican Republic from 1930 to 1961. – Trujillo’s regime was marked by severe human rights abuses and a cult of personality.
Violence – Behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something. – The violence of the French Revolution led to significant social and political changes in France.
Colonization – The action or process of settling among and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area. – The colonization of Africa by European powers in the 19th century had long-lasting impacts on the continent’s political and social structures.
Slavery – A system in which individuals are owned by others, deprived of personal freedom and compelled to perform labor or services. – The abolition of slavery in the United States was a pivotal moment in the country’s history, leading to the Civil War and the eventual end of institutionalized slavery.
Reparations – Compensation given for an abuse or injury, often discussed in the context of historical injustices. – The debate over reparations for slavery in the United States continues to be a contentious issue in contemporary politics.
Legacy – Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor from the past. – The legacy of colonialism is still evident in many former colonies, affecting their economic and social development.
