No, the country of Haiti is not a US territory. Since 1862, the United States Congress has recognized Haiti as a sovereign nation. Independence from France came in 1804, and the country’s political and economic landscapes have continued to evolve.
Haiti’s history may be traced back for centuries. The Spanish and French were the first to settle here.
A rebellion took place in 1804 against the colonial authorities. Several governments ruled the country, and several coups d’etat occurred throughout this period.
There is no democratic aspect to the United States’ relationship with Haiti. Take a peek back in time to get a better sense of it. The western world was constantly threatening to invade Haiti in the late 1800s, as it had done in so many other places where Black and brown people lived at the time.
Having a foothold in the West Indies was important to France, Germany, and the United States for a variety of reasons. The United States invaded Haiti from 1915 through 1934. There has been a lot of political instability in the country ever since then.
Currently, Haiti’s economy relies heavily on remittances, which account for a significant share of the country’s GDP.
US Territories
United States Territories are sub-national administrative units under federal control. Unlike states and Native American tribes, US territories are not autonomous entities.
However, as a “dependant sovereign nation,” each state has its sovereignty apart from the federal authority.
Territories are classed based on their incorporation and whether or not they have an “organized” government. Because US territories are sovereign, they may be treated as part of the US in some respects but not in others (i.e., domains belong to, but are not considered part of, the United States).
Unincorporated territories, in particular, are not regarded as part of the US, and the US Constitution only partially applies there.
The US now governs three of the Caribbean and eleven Pacific Ocean territories. The other nine are small islands, atolls, and reefs with no native (or permanent) inhabitants.
Only one is an incorporated territory (Palmyra Atoll). Colombia manages two other US-claimed territories (Bajo Nuevo Bank and Serranilla Bank).
Territories were historically formed to manage newly acquired land, and most became states.
Like the Philippines, FSM, Marshall Islands, and Palau, others became independent.
From 1789 through 1959, many incorporated territories existed. The Northwest and Southwest Territories came first, followed by Alaska and Hawaii.
Trente-one territories (or portions) evolved became states. A statehood referendum left some less populated portions of a territory orphaned. Most of Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, and parts of Colorado and Minnesota became unorganized territories after a portion of the Missouri Territory was made into the state of Missouri.
Underdeveloped political and economic systems. Territorial residents cannot vote in presidential elections and have non-voting representation in Congress.
Some areas’ Internet speed is slower than the least developed countries in Eastern Europe.
Territories have greater poverty rates than states.
