The island of Hispaniola, of which Haiti occuppies the the Westernthird, was inhabitedby the Taino arawaks, a seafaring branch ofthe south american Ararawaks, Christopher columbus landed at mole St.Nicholas on 5 dec. 1492, and claimed the island for spain.90 days later, his ship SantaMariaran aground near the present site ofCap-haitien, columbuswas forcedto leave 39 menfounding thesettlement of LaNavidad Ayiti, which means "maountainous land", isa name usedby the Tiano - Arawak people, who also valledsome sectionsof it Bohio,meaning "rich villages" . Kiskeya was yet a third term that has been attributed to the Tainos for the island.
followingn the destruction of La Navidad by the Amerindians, columbus moved to the eastern side of the island and established La Isabela.The Spanish Colony, Santo Domingo, became a staging point for later expeditions and provided supplies for the conquistadores in Mexico and elsewhere.
The first aministrator for santo Domingo was a brother of Christopher Columbus. The spaniards were given estates on the island and the right to compel the labor of the natives. The native population very nearly disappeared during the first half of the 16th century as a result of epidemies and enslavement.
by the end of the 16th century Spain was losing control of the seas to French, Dutch and british forces. By the middle of the 17th century French settlers occupied the island of Tortuga off the north coast of Hispaniola and later French huguenots began to settle the north coast of what is now Haiti.
History of Haiti
Chronology
Before 1492
1492-1791
1791-1804
1804-1843
1843-1915
1915-1986
1986-present
Topics
Saint domingue
Haitian Revolution
United states occupation
2004 Haitian rebellion
Time line
Military History
