If ever there was a surprising location to be a hotbed for self-proclaimed monarchies, it's Haiti first independent Caribbean or Latin American nation after winning a war against European colonial power, the only country founded as a result of a successful slave revolt, and the only nation in the western hemisphere to have defeated Britain, France and Spain. With that radical history, surely they'd want to forego something as old-world, as a royal family? And yet, Haiti has been home to three cases: Governor Jean-Jacques Dessalines became Emperor Jacques I, President Henry Christophe became King Henri I, and President Faustin Soulouque became Emperor Faustin I. All of those crownings being declared by the men in question, by the way. Emperor Jacques I of Haiti is considered the country's founding father. King Faustin I was less chill, starting a secret police state and personal army. Far better was Henry I, King of Haïti, who built the largest fortress in the Americas to withstand foreign attack.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
