Life under U.S. Occupation

The U.S. occupation under the Wilson Administration was marked by miscommunication, lack of direction, and hostility. The management of the intervention was pushed to the side with the entrance of the U.S. into World War I, and this negligence led to inquiries and investigations, as well as the riots of 1918-19.

Following the 1922 Senate Inquiry into Haiti and Santo Domingo, a massive reorganization effort was undertaken to eliminate the initial failures of the occupation. Unfortunately, these efforts did nothing to combat racism, put an end to American elitism, or address the concerns of Haitians. The continued mismanagement of the occupation eventually led to strikes and riots in 1929. These protests marked the turning point for seriously setting in motion plans for American withdrawal. American forces officially withdrew from Haiti August 15, 1934.