François C. Antoine Simon

François C. Antoine Simon (born October 10, 1843 in Les Cayes , † January 10 or March 10, 1923 in Les Cayes) was a Haitian politician and President of Haiti .

biography

Military career

Originally from the Savane suburb of Les Cayes, Simon worked as a community policeman before joining the army as an officer. In 1883 he was appointed commander of the troops in the Département Sud , an office he held until 1908. In the course of his military career he was promoted to colonel in 1887 .

Between 1896 and 1902 he was at times the personal adjutant ( aide-de-camp ) of President Tirésias Simon-Sam . He was later promoted to general. As such, he led a military revolt against President Pierre Nord Alexis in 1908 .

President 1908 to 1911

On December 6, 1908, he was elected President of Haiti to succeed President Alexis . Although he had little formal education himself, as president he was able to form a group of advisors from the most important personalities of the time. On December 19, 1908, he presented his six-member cabinet to the public and one day later took his official oath of office to the President of the Senate, Senator Paulin.

One of his first political decisions was the beginning of a policy of appeasement during which a number of exiled Haitians returned in January 1909 , whom he received in the presidential palace. At this reception, an agreement was concluded that, at least during his term of office, led to an inner calm.

President Simon continually sought to increase agricultural production . He also had the intention of building a railway network . To do that his government has entered into several contracts with US companies , including the so-called MacDonald - contract to build the railway line between Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien and the cultivation and export of bananas . However, these treaties were poorly prepared, which led to criticism from intellectuals and politicians alike. On the other hand, there was the asphalting of the streets of Port-au-Prince as well as supply the capital with electricity . In addition, the first automobiles were introduced in Haiti and an agricultural bank was founded .

In financial policy terms, the taking up of a large and long-term onerous loan from the Banque de la Union Parisienne to consolidate the various debts led to a heated national debate.

As in the past, there were repeated border conflicts with the neighboring Dominican Republic . In order to avoid a war, President Simon asked for the support of his American ally.

For the satisfaction of US banana planters, expropriations became more common, causing unrest among small landowners. The small farmers from northern Haiti ( Cacos ) then began a revolt against the government in Port-au-Prince in June 1911. General Cincinnatus Leconte , a former Minister of Public Works and Agriculture under President Simon-Sam, incited this revolutionary movement.

Although Leconte was initially unsuccessful, he managed to conquer the capital on August 1, 1911, which ultimately forced President Simon to resign on August 3, 1911. He then went into exile for a few years and Leconte himself became the new president.

Individual evidence

Web links

predecessor	Office	successor
Pierre Nord Alexis	President of Haiti December 6, 1908 - August 3, 1911	Cincinnatus Leconte

personal data
SURNAME	Simon, François C. Antoine
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	President of Haiti
DATE OF BIRTH	October 10, 1843
PLACE OF BIRTH	Les Cayes
DATE OF DEATH	January 10, 1923 or March 10, 1923
Place of death	Les Cayes

[1] "Alexis Flees To French Ship, Haitian President Deposed, Interleaved His Capital, Wrapped In The Tricolor" , New York Times on Dec. 3, 1908

[2] "Hurry Election Of Simon In Haiti; Followers Fear Delay May Cause Disorders And Invite Intervention From United States" , New York Times December 8, 1908

[3] "Simon Elected President; Following Action by Haitian Congress, He Is Recognized By The United States" , New York Times December 18, 1908

[4] "Haitian Cabinet Formed; President Simon Announces The List Of His Official Advisers," New York Times December 20, 1908

[5] "President Simon Takes Oath; New Haitian Executive Formally Inaugurated In Port-Au-Prince," New York Times December 21, 1908

[6] "The Haitian Boundary Dispute," New York Times May 28, 1899

[7] "Haiti Asks Aid To Prevent War; Move By President Simon - Ready To Arbitrate Boundary Dispute With Santo Domingo," New York Times January 22, 1911

[8] "Rebels Near Haitis Capital; But Simon Hopes To Quell Revolt Through Dispensions Of Enimies" , New York Times July 29, 1911

[9] "Haitian Rebels Win; Simon Now An Exile," New York Times August 3, 1911