海地近代血泪史回顾

In 1804, African slaves in Haiti overthrew their French rulers, creating the world's first Black Republic. But decades of turmoil followed until American president Woodrow Wilson sent US marines there in 1915. And that was the start of an occupation that lasted almost 20 years. The Haitian military then seized power and ruled the country until the dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier declared himself "president for life" in 1957. His son Jean-Claude "baby Doc" took over in 1971. But he was ousted 15 years later. And then after more instability and unrest, former Catholic priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide won Haiti's first free election in 1990. But his presidency didn't last long. He was overthrown in a military coup a year later. Many Haitians tried then to flee to the United States, but were forced back. And fighting broke out in Haiti. And then in 1994, the US sent thousands of troops to maintain order and to restore democracy and Aristide's presidency. But Aristide was overthrown again in 2004. UN peacekeepers returned, and Haiti was making small but significant steps towards progress until the earthquake struck.

★1804年，海地的非洲奴隶推翻了法国的殖民统治，建立了世界上第一个"黑人共和国"。
★1915年，美国总统威尔逊派遣美国军队进驻海地，并在海地持续了20年军事统治。
★1957年，军医出身的杜瓦里耶执政，并自封为"终身总统"。
★1971年，杜瓦里耶的儿子继位，但是在执政十五年后遭到罢免。
★1990年，让．贝特朗．阿里斯蒂德成为海地第一位民选总统，但是他在一年之后遭到罢免。
★1994年，美国派遣部队进驻海地维持当地社会治安，并重新扶植起阿里斯蒂德政权。他在2004年再一次被罢免。
★联合国维和部队的到来使海地的面貌得到了很大的改善。然而，这一次的大地震却使联合国多年的努力化为泡影。

生词汇总

overthrow: to remove a leader or government from power, especially by force 推翻
turmoil: a state of confusion, excitement, or anxiety 动乱，骚乱
take over: to take control of something 接管
oust: to force someone out of a position of power, especially so that you can take their place 罢免，革职
coup: a sudden and sometimes violent attempt by citizens or the army to take control of the government 政变