Contrasting Fates: Dominican Republic vs. Haiti

1. HONR 229L: Climate Change: Science, Economics, and Governance One Island, Two Peoples, Two Histories: The Dominican Republic and Haiti Your name here 13 September 2018

2. This chapter compares and contrasts the evolution of the societies of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, both of which are on the island of Hispaniola You could present the first AT question: The variation in forest cover between the Dominican Republic and Haiti is paralleled by differences in what? (answer is easy) and expound upon this, as you see fit. For instance, could relate this thought to the prior readings and the theme of the book, or else lead a discussion regarding why the degree of deforestation was so different

3. Should you so desire, you could move to the 2nd AT question: Compare and contrast the difference in land area and population of the Dominican Republic and Haiti You are more than welcome to take and run with this in whatever direction you’d like, since you have done independent reading on the island! Remember, it is a discussion, not a lecture. In other words, make an attempt to engage the audience in a “conversation”. At the same time, by all means share your own impression of the situation, including what you like and may take issue with from the reading, especially in light of your prior knowledge.

4. You certainly could review how the presence of gold and the suitability of being a good locale for the growth of sugar cane affected the people of Hispaniola, following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. Try your best to make this a “discussion” of various aspects of resource exploitation on an island by non-native settlers, choices made by the Haitians following the rebellion, the attitudes of Spain and France, etc

5. The fourth and final AT question: The Haitian side of the island had less environmental advantages than the Dominican side of the island, but developed a rich agricultural economy before the Dominican side Describe how this happened and state whether or not you feel this early happenstance foreshadowed the events that later transpired. is another possible avenue for discussion. Would be great if you could somehow get the students to debate whether the early events did indeed foreshadow later events (i.e., “game over after early intensive agriculture”) or whether the Haitians could have had a better long-term outcome, had they been more receptive to foreign investment, trade, some form of population control, etc. No right answer IMHO. Great however if you work the phrase “environmental determinism” (pg 333) into the discussion!

6. Take as much time as you’d like to have the class delve into why the outcomes were so different for the Dominican Republic and Haiti. For instance, Diamond writes “Of the case studies described in this book, the contrast between Haiti and the Dominican Republic discussed in this chapter, and the contrast between the fates of the Norse and the Inuit in Greenland discussed in Chapter 8 , provide the clearest illustrations that a society’s fate lies in its own hands and depends substantially on its own choices.” Consider preparing a slide to facilitate class discussion of how a society’s fate lies in its own hands and depends substantially on its own choices Of course this relates to the material on prior slide. Your call how to order, integrate, or whether to even use the AT questions. But this is a provocative, questionable statement, especially given the sordid events of the colonial era as well as the immediate aftermath. Have fun with this discussion and please do include anecdotes throughout.

7. Diamond writes “Of the case studies described in this book, the contrast between Haiti and the Dominican Republic discussed in this chapter, and the contrast between the fates of the Norse and the Inuit in Greenland discussed in Chapter 8 , provide the clearest illustrations that a society’s fate lies in its own hands and depends substantially on its own choices.” Prepare a slide to facilitate class discussion of how a society’s fate lies in its own hands and depends substantially on its own choices

8. Another possible discussion point is the contrasting, post-colonial political situation in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In other words, can compare and contrast Papa Doc Duvalier and Baby Doc Duvalier, with Trujillo and Balaguer. Feel free to alter, ad lib, change in any way you’d like provided the topic is about the Haiti and the Dominican Republic. You have 45 mins to use as you see fit! Use the maps and figures as you see fit. If you don’t use, you are welcome to delete from the PPT file you provide. And, you can almost certainly easily find better, color figures on-line. Good luck!