Thank you, Haiti

Dr. Widmer at Brown University writes a lovely little article about Haiti's role in creating America here.

I never before considered the idea that if Haiti never existed, the United States may not have either. Thanks to the efforts of France, so eager to protect its colony Saint Dominigue (now Haiti), we had a successful revolution. Haitian ports, supplies, money, and even Haitian soldiers fought for American freedom. Good thing we have this great new opportunity, where they need us desperately, to pay them back! :)