Part 7/10:
From 1843 to 1915, Haiti experienced overwhelming political instability, with 22 presidents and numerous violent coups. This turmoil prevented the country from developing a stable economy. As population density increased due to hereditary land division, per capita income stagnated, leading to chronic soil erosion and diminishing agricultural yields.
By 1915, Haiti found itself nearly bankrupt, drowning in debt mainly to foreign lenders including the United States. The U.S. intervened under the pretext of restoring order but primarily aimed to secure the repayment of debts. While some infrastructure improvements were made during the U.S. occupation, the prevailing political system remained predatory, exacerbating the country's plight.