polish

There are many unfounded claims surrounding the town of Casale. These include reports of a visit from the Pope in 1983. While some claim he stopped at the site during his short visit, others still say there is no documentation of this. Adding to their reason for dissent, the unlikelihood of such a visit in the 10 hour visit to Haiti the pope made on March 9th. Also up for debate was whether the reports of the number of Polish defectors were greatly exaggerated to promote the cause of Dessalines and allay fears of an 'all white' massacre.

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Approximately 5200 Poles traveled to Saint Dominque in 1802 to fight as part of the Napoleon army. It is said that they were informed of a revolt in the country, but didn't realize it was a fight for freedom until landing on Haiti's shore. After a 1772 invasion by Austria, Prussia and Russia, the Polish legion splintered into those who sympathized with the Haitians and couldn't continue to fight with the French, despite what it meant for the alliance between France and their war-torn country, and those who chose to remain loyal to the French.

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The Polish population in Haiti is concentrated largely in Casale, a small town close to Port-au-Prince. They came originally as part of the French Army in 1802 which tried to suppress the revolt. Feeling conflicted about suppressing the Haitians while their own country was embroiled in a similar struggle, some of the Poles joined the slave revolt and were awarded with citizenship after the Haitian Independence. It has led to the interesting sight of a community filled with blue-eyed Haitians.

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This is one date that will likely remain in the history of the town of Casale for the history book. On March 29, 1969, sources primarily from the residents of Casale reporte that the forces of the Duvalier regime conducted mass killing in the region. It was done in the objective to eradicate the communist movement that was taking shape in the town. This monument was built to honor some of those who were subject of the massacre

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The visit of the Catholic leader has severl meanings. Pope John Paul II who visited Haiti in 1983, mentioned the Polish contribution to the Slave rebellion leading to Haiti's independence. Several Haitians with polish ancestry were selected by the Duvalier regime to attend the various ceremonies organized for the Pope visit.

You can see the Polish influence in several towns in Haiti, such as Casale, La Vallee de Jacmel, Fond des Blancs, La Baleine, Port Salut and St. Jean du Sud

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You are looking at a Haitian child from the town of Casale in Grande Anse. The town has a large Polish influence which is dated back during the Haitian revolution from France. History reported that back in 1802, about 5200 Poles were sent to Saint Domingue by Napoleon to deal with the slave revolt.

Upon arrival, the Polish brigade joined the slaves to fight against the French army.

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