When Haiti became the world’s first Black republic in 1804, it should have been a moment of global celebration. Instead, it became a warning. Haiti was born after formerly enslaved Africans defeated one of the most powerful empires on Earth and abolished slavery outright. That victory shook the foundations of a world built on colonialism and forced labor. And for that, Haiti was never forgiven.

Rather than being welcomed into the international community, Haiti was isolated, sanctioned, and threatened. Former enslavers feared that Haiti’s success would inspire others to demand freedom. So punishment replaced diplomacy.

In 1825, France forced Haiti into an impossible choice: pay reparations to former slave owners — or face invasion. The price was staggering. Haiti was ordered to pay 150 million gold francs (later reduced, but still massive) to compensate France for the “loss” of enslaved people and land. Imagine being charged for freeing yourself.

Haiti had no wealth reserve. This forced them to borrow from French banks at high interest rates. Money that could have gone to schools, roads, healthcare, and infrastructure was siphoned off to repay former colonizers. This debt lasted well into the 20th century.

The part that rarely gets emphasized is that Haiti didn’t start poor. Haiti was made poor. For over a century, Haiti’s economy was drained to satisfy a debt rooted in slavery. By the time the payments finally ended, generations had already been robbed of opportunity. Political instability followed economic strangulation. Foreign interference followed instability. The cycle repeated. Today, when people look at Haiti and ask “what went wrong,” they often skip the beginning of the story.

No nation can thrive when its freedom comes with a ransom. Haiti’s struggle is not a failure of its people. It is the long-term cost of a global system that punished Black freedom and protected colonial wealth. Haiti didn’t just win its independence. It paid for it — again and again.