President Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier (14th April 1907 – 21st April 1971) declares himself “President For Life”
An Up Close and Personal 1968 three part mini-documentary film by Alan Whicker on the former President of The Republic of Haiti – President François Duvalier aka “Papa Doc” Duvalier (born 14th April 1907). He was the President of Haiti from 22nd October 1957 until his death on 21st April 1971.
Papa Doc Duvalier opposed a military coup d’état in 1950, and was elected President in 1957 on a populist and black nationalist platform. President Duvalier declared himself “President For Life“, and ruled Haiti with an iron fist. He ruled with a purged military, a rural militia known as the Tonton Macoute, and the use of a personality cult and voodoo, all coupled together resulted in the murder of an estimated 30,000 plus Haitians, and the exile of thousands more.
President “Papa Doc” Duvalier was succeeded by his son Jean-Claude Duvalier aka “Baby Doc” Duvalier (born July 3, 1951). Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier became President of Haiti on 22nd April 1971, and ruled until he was overthrown on 7th February 1986, by a popular Haitian uprising in the streets of Haiti, coupled with diplomatic pressure from the United States of America.
President Francois “Papa Doc” died on 21st April 1971, and on 22nd April 1971 Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier succeeded his father as President of The Republic of Haiti until 7th February 1986, when he was overthrown as a result of a popular Haitian uprising in the streets of Haiti, coupled with diplomatic pressure from the United States of America.
On Sunday 16th January 2011, the then 59 year old former Haitian President Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier return to Haiti from France, where he has been living in exile for 25 years, post being ousted from power in 1986.
Former Haitian President Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier returns to Haiti after spending 25 years in exile.
I have taken the liberty to share a three part series of an up-close and personal 1968 mini-documentary on the former Haitian President Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier. Hope that you enjoy the knowledge of a bit of Haitian history.
Click on the hyper-links below to view each of the video mini-documentary.
President Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier 1968 Part 1
President Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier 1968 Part 2
President Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier 1968 Part 3
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