James Weldon Johnson
Self-Determining Haiti
Four articles reprinted from The Nation embodying a report of an investigation made for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
"Self-Determining Haiti" by James Weldon Johnson is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The work compiles four articles originally published in "The Nation" in 1920 and details the United States' imperialistic actions in Haiti during the years of American occupation from 1915 onwards. The focus of the text sheds light on the complex political situation, exploring themes of colonialism, economic exploitation, and the impact of foreign intervention on Haitian sovereignty. The opening of the text reveals the context behind America's military involvement in Haiti, indicating that the U.S. intervention was primarily motivated by economic interests, particularly those of the National City Bank. Johnson outlines the events leading up to the American occupation, including the coup against Haitian President Vilbrun Guillaume Sam, effectively framing the U.S. actions as both opportunistic and imperialistic. From this start, Johnson condemns the militarization and suppression of Haitian governance, emphasizing the existential threat to Haitian independence posed by American military dominance and financial control, thereby setting the stage for a detailed exploration of these themes throughout the work.