François Duvalier: Difference between revisions
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Late in 1963 Duvalier moved further toward an absolutist regime, promoting a cult of his person as the semi-divine embodiment of Haiti. In April 1964 he declared himself president for life. Although diplomatically almost completely isolated, excommunicated by the Vatican until 1966 for harassing the clergy, and threatened by conspiracies against him, Duvalier was able to stay in power longer than any of his predecessors. His regime of terror quelled political dissent, causing about 30,000 deaths, but at the same time achieved for Haiti an unusual degree of political stabilization. On Duvalier’s death, power was transferred to his son, Jean-Claude (“Baby Doc”). | Late in 1963 Duvalier moved further toward an absolutist regime, promoting a cult of his person as the semi-divine embodiment of Haiti. In April 1964 he declared himself president for life. Although diplomatically almost completely isolated, excommunicated by the Vatican until 1966 for harassing the clergy, and threatened by conspiracies against him, Duvalier was able to stay in power longer than any of his predecessors. His regime of terror quelled political dissent, causing about 30,000 deaths, but at the same time achieved for Haiti an unusual degree of political stabilization. On Duvalier’s death, power was transferred to his son, Jean-Claude (“Baby Doc”). | ||
== Trivia == | |||
* Duvalier claimed that he put a curse on U.S. president John F. Kennedy for not cooperating with him and once Kennedy was assassinated, Duvalier celebrated with his peers. | |||
* When Duvalier was being driven around Haiti, he carried a gun with him to protect himself against any threats. | |||
* Duvalier used holes in walls to witness the interrogation and torture of those who opposed him. | |||
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[[Category:Male]] | [[Category:Male]] | ||