Haiti's History: America's 1915 Invasion, Occupation of Haiti

One of the more interesting events in U.S. military history was the invasion of Haiti in 1915. Virtually unknown to the average American, this event would play an important role in U.S. foreign policy and help define the U.S. image in the Caribbean and Latin American nations.

When a man named Vilbrun Guillaume Sam seized power in 1915, he did so by violating the time honored traditions of the annual revolutions. He targeted the elite mulattos and had two hundred of them held hostage as collateral in the event of the inevitable counter revolution. When that revolt happened, Sam's henchmen massacred the prisoners, infuriating the theretofore untouchable mulattos. The revolt took on a new fierceness and Sam took refuge in the French legation. Torn from under a bed, in clear violation of the sanctity of international law, the mobs killed Sam, plunging Haiti into mob rule and chaos.¹ With the Great War raging on the Continent, Wilson feared the German population of Haiti as well as British and French intentions on the island so strategically located near the vital Panama Canal and agreed to send in the Marines.

The Marines quickly took control, secured the coastal towns and set up a protectorate. The U.S. was in total control, betrayed by a statement by Admiral Caperton, who was virtual ruler of the island during the occupation. In a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, Caperton said that "Next Tuesday...I will permit Congress to elect a President."² While the Marines brought much needed prosperity, reform and stability, there were also reports of brutality. As happens every time you have small numbers of troops stationed in isolated wilderness, abuses took place, outraging liberals all over the world and serving to enhance local resentment in Haiti.

The Pacification of Haiti