US Occupation of Haiti 1915-1934: Counterinsurgency Lessons
From 1915 to 1934, Haiti was under the control of the United States military, a response to the assassination of President Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam. President Woodrow Wilson authorized this intervention due to concerns over German influence, with Rear Admiral William Caperton overseeing the initial landings. By August 1915, Sudre Dartigurnave was elected under US supervision. US troops trained the oppressive Haitian Gendarmerie while encountering resistance from the Cacos, led by Rosalvo Bobo and Charlemagne Péralte. The First Caco War (1915-1918) concluded with Major Smedley Butler’s capture of Fort Rivière, while the Second Caco War (1918-1920) ended with the deaths of Péralte and Benoît Batraville. The occupation ceased in 1934, influenced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Good Neighbor policy.
Key facts
- US occupation of Haiti lasted from 1915 to 1934.
- Triggered by assassination of President Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam on July 28, 1915.
- Ordered by President Woodrow Wilson, who feared German influence.
- Rear Admiral William Caperton commanded initial landings.
- Sudre Dartigurnave elected president under US supervision in August 1915.
- Haitian Gendarmerie trained by US, known for brutality.
- Cacos resistance led by Rosalvo Bobo, then Charlemagne Péralte.
- Major Smedley Butler received second Medal of Honor for Fort Rivière assault.
- Second Caco War ended with deaths of Péralte (1919) and Benoît Batraville (1920).
- Occupation ended under FDR's Good Neighbor policy; withdrawal completed 1934.
- Marine officers like Lewis Puller applied Haiti experience in WWII.
Entities
Institutions
- US Marine Corps
- Haitian Gendarmerie
- US Navy
- French legation
- The White House
- New York Times
- Haitian Art Society
- US Marine Historical Association
- Warfare History Network
- Congress
Locations
- Haiti
- Port-au-Prince
- Cap-Haitien
- Fort Rivière
- United States
- France
- Germany
- Solomon Islands
- Guadalcanal
- Vietnam
- Iraq
- Afghanistan