Duvalier was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on April 14, 1907, to a middle class family. The young Duvalier was greatly affected by the united States occupation of Haiti in 1915 In 1930’s, he became a founding member of the Haitian intellectual Griot movement, a group “ whose members celebrated their African roots and even the practice of voodoo as important elements of Haitian culture” (François Duvalier Biography). Duvalier helped to found this group as he believed “that his people's African traditions should be preserved and protected from the influence of European countries” (François Duvalier Biography). He attended the Haitian National University Medical School and graduated in 1934, becoming a physician and earning the nickname, Papa
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He like many other candidates “promised that he would do something for the country's poor black majority” (The Harvard Crimson), and to rebuild the country anew. Duvalier made deals with other candidates to back down, and won favor with the army, which made him the superior choice. In 1957, he was elected President, in what was “ the quietest and most honest election in Haiti's history” (François Duvalier Biography). After becoming President many of the defeated candidates refused to conform to the ruling of Duvalier and encouraged rebellion against him from hiding. Duvalier started to become brutally, sending his secret police, the Tontons Macoutes, to “murdered and tortured his opponents” they would even “leave a victim's severed head on display as warnings to others” (The Harvard Crimson). When Cuba came under the control of Fidel Castro, many Haitians took refuge there, as Castro gave anti-Duvalier his support. The Dominican also interfered with Haiti’s affairs for fear Cuba would attack through Haiti. During the presidential election of 1961, Duvalier altered with the ballads, assuring his re-election. New York Times said, “Latin America has witnessed many fraudulent (fake) elections … but none will have been more outrageous than the one which has just taken place in Haiti.” (François Duvalier Biography). Three years later, in 1964, Duvalier declared himself President for life, and installing harsher
He like many other candidates “promised that he would do something for the country's poor black majority” (The Harvard Crimson), and to rebuild the country anew. Duvalier made deals with other candidates to back down, and won favor with the army, which made him the superior choice. In 1957, he was elected President, in what was “ the quietest and most honest election in Haiti's history” (François Duvalier Biography). After becoming President many of the defeated candidates refused to conform to the ruling of Duvalier and encouraged rebellion against him from hiding. Duvalier started to become brutally, sending his secret police, the Tontons Macoutes, to “murdered and tortured his opponents” they would even “leave a victim's severed head on display as warnings to others” (The Harvard Crimson). When Cuba came under the control of Fidel Castro, many Haitians took refuge there, as Castro gave anti-Duvalier his support. The Dominican also interfered with Haiti’s affairs for fear Cuba would attack through Haiti. During the presidential election of 1961, Duvalier altered with the ballads, assuring his re-election. New York Times said, “Latin America has witnessed many fraudulent (fake) elections … but none will have been more outrageous than the one which has just taken place in Haiti.” (François Duvalier Biography). Three years later, in 1964, Duvalier declared himself President for life, and installing harsher