1492 Christopher Columbus lands in the island of espanola, which was once populated by the Taino people, but when they settled they brutaly died by disease, slavery and massacre. The island was filled with gold, but once they collected it all they returned to there home. But in late 17th century France officialy laid claim to the western third of the island, which was called Saint Domingue. They found loads of valuables in the island like coffe, indigo and sugar. France established large plantations and imported tens of thousands of slaves from West Africa. After a while the population of the island was 550,000 people, 500,000 of them slaves, and many of them died through disease like the yellow fever or died from torture. But after a while in 1791-1804 slaves, fueled by the idea of the French Revolution the Haitian revolution began when slaves of mixed races rise up and they became one of the largest and most successful slave rebelions in history. But in January 1, 1804 Haitian wins its indepence becoming the first nation founded by former slaves. Fearing of slave revolts USA pursue a policy of isolation towards Haitian, but in 1862, USA officialy recognizes Haitian soverengt during there own struggles.