Young_Turk
Elder Lister
"Papa Doc" is the commonly known name of François Duvalier, the president of Haiti from 1957 until his death in 1971.
Here's some information about him:
Here's some information about him:
- Early Life and Career: François Duvalier was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 1907. He was trained as a physician and worked in public health before entering politics.
- Rise to Power: He was popularly elected president in 1957, following a period of political instability. He campaigned on a populist and black nationalist platform, promising to empower the Black majority and end the dominance of the mulatto elite.
- Dictatorship: However, his regime quickly became autocratic and despotic. He consolidated power through violence and fear, creating a cult of personality around himself.
- Tonton Macoutes: A key element of his regime was the Tonton Macoutes, a brutal secret police force responsible for widespread human rights abuses, including killings, torture, and intimidation of opponents.
- Legacy: Papa Doc's rule left a lasting and negative impact on Haiti. His regime was characterized by corruption, repression, and a decline in socio-economic conditions.
- Successor: Upon his death in 1971, his son, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, became president for life. Baby Doc continued his father's authoritarian rule until a popular uprising in 1986 forced him into exile.
- Death: François Duvalier died on April 21, 1971, at the age of 64 from heart disease and diabetes