Dumarsais Estimé facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dumarsais Estimé
31st President of Haiti
In office August 16, 1946 – May 10, 1950
Preceded by	Franck Lavaud
Succeeded by	Franck Lavaud
Minister of National Education, Agriculture and Labor
In office November 29, 1937 – January 5, 1940
President	Sténio Vincent
Preceded by	Auguste Turnier
Succeeded by	Luc E. Fouché
Personal details
Born	Léon Dumarsais Estimé (1900-04-21)April 21, 1900 Verrettes, Haiti
Died	July 20, 1953(1953-07-20) (aged 53) New York City, New York, United States
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Lucienne Heurtelou ​ (m. 1940⁠–⁠1953)​
Children	Jean-Robert, Philippe, Marie-Florence, Régine {Other children from first union: Paul, Raymonde, Lionel}
Profession	Lawyer, teacher

Dumarsais Estimé (born April 21, 1900, in Verrettes, Haiti; died July 20, 1953, in New York City, USA) was an important Haitian politician. He served as the President of Haiti from August 16, 1946, to May 10, 1950.

Before becoming president, he was a member of Parliament for 16 years. He also led the Chamber of Deputies and was a Minister (like a Secretary of State). His roles included overseeing public education, agriculture, and labor.

Many Haitians remember his time as president fondly. He brought many positive changes and helped Haiti make great progress. His achievements included organizing a big international exhibition in 1949. This event celebrated Port-au-Prince's 200th birthday. He also expanded the city of Belladère and built a suspension bridge over the Grande-Anse River. This bridge is still used today.

Estimé also focused on helping rural areas. He built many schools and improved the education system. He protected workers' rights and helped the economy grow, especially in tourism. During his presidency, life improved for many Haitian people.

In May 1950, a military group took over the government. They removed Estimé from power. He was forced to leave Haiti and lived in exile. He traveled to France, Jamaica, and the USA. He passed away in New York on July 20, 1953.

Early Life and Education

Dumarsais Estimé was born on April 21, 1900, in Verrettes, Haiti. His family owned land. His father died when Dumarsais was young. His mother, Fleurencia Massillon, had a big impact on his life.

His uncle, Estilus Estimé, helped with his education. Estilus was a mayor and a senator. He taught Dumarsais about Haiti's social issues. He also stressed the importance of honesty in public service.

Dumarsais went to school in St. Marc, then to Collège Pinchinat. He finished his high school studies at Lycée Alexandre-Pétion in Port-au-Prince. Important teachers like Jean Price-Mars taught him.

The American Occupation of Haiti started in July 1915. This event greatly influenced young Dumarsais. In 1920, he became a tutor at Lycée Pétion while studying law. He taught mathematics until 1926. He also graduated from law school during this time.

Estimé lost his teaching job because he spoke out against the government. He opposed President Louis Borno and the United States occupation of Haiti. Dumarsais was known as a scholar who loved French literature and philosophy. He strongly wanted Haiti to be free from foreign influence. He also wanted to improve Haitian society. He believed it was important to fight against unfair practices and educate everyone.

Political Beginnings

Dumarsais Estimé taking the oath of office in 1946.

Becoming a Deputy

After becoming a lawyer, Estimé first worked in St. Marc. Then he entered politics. In 1930, he was elected as a deputy for Verrettes. On February 21, 1935, his fellow deputies chose him to be President of the Chamber of Deputies. He received 27 out of 28 votes.

Minister of Education, Agriculture, and Labor

In 1937, he joined President Sténio Vincent’s government. He became the Minister for Public Instruction, Agriculture, and Labor. He kept his seat in Parliament at the same time.

During his two years as Education Minister, he worked to bring education to all Haitians. He especially wanted to help those who were less fortunate. He improved teacher training and raised teachers' salaries. He also reorganized high schools and reformed the baccalaureate exams. He introduced new university programs. His goal was to make Haiti's education system as good as foreign universities. This would help young Haitians get scholarships to study abroad.

He also ordered the building of more schools in rural areas. He organized the National Library in Port-au-Prince and its local branches. He created a school for female teachers. This helped women play a bigger role in Haitian society and the economy.

Estimé knew how important farming was to Haiti. He made sure the Ministry of Agriculture had skilled advisors. Their goal was to grow more food for Haiti. They also aimed to increase crops for export to improve trade.

In 1941, President Vincent wanted Élie Lescot to be his successor. Estimé voted for Lescot, who then became president. However, in 1944, Estimé opposed Lescot's re-election. He disagreed with changes Lescot made to the Constitution. Even though Estimé voted against him, Lescot was re-elected.

Election to the Presidency

As a deputy, Estimé saw the problems Haiti faced in 1946. There was an economic crisis and social unrest. These issues led to President Lescot's resignation. A temporary government, led by Franck Lavaud, prepared for new elections.

Estimé presented himself as a moderate candidate. He was re-elected in the 1946 legislative elections. On August 16, the moderate politicians gained a majority. Estimé was then chosen as a candidate for president. He was elected President of Haiti for four years. He won with 31 out of 58 votes from the deputies. His first act as president was to greet his opponents.

His rise to power in 1946 came after a period of big changes. Students, women, unions, and political parties were all active. Haiti was trying to overcome social divisions that had existed since its independence. The "Revolution of 1946" aimed to transform Haitian society. However, it faced a lot of resistance.

Presidency

Dumarsais Estimé became President of Haiti on August 16, 1946. In his speech, he said he represented "the great family of the masses." He asked everyone to work together for the good of the nation. He also stressed the importance of honesty in government.

At first, some people did not welcome his leadership. But public opinion soon changed. People liked that he formed a government of national unity. This was rare in Haiti's history. He brought together former opponents and people from all social groups. He quickly started an ambitious plan to improve the economy and society. This plan met the needs of most people and gained public support.

The 1946 Constitution

On November 22, 1946, a new Constitution for Haiti was approved. This new constitution protected basic freedoms and guaranteed the rights of Haitians. It created a presidential system. The President, elected for six years, had many responsibilities. These included setting political goals, overseeing the government, and managing diplomacy and the army.

The 1946 Constitution introduced the habeas corpus principle. This means that if someone is arrested, they have the right to quickly appear before a judge. The judge then decides if the arrest was legal. This rule helps ensure fairness. The constitution also prevented people from being sent to another country for political reasons. It made the army and police separate. It also made paid annual leave for workers a requirement.

Unlike the 1935 Constitution, the 1946 Constitution did not give the president too much power over the other branches of government. The president was not the chief of the armed forces either.

Economic and Social Improvements

Estimé's government faced many challenges after World War II. These included poverty, unemployment, and low literacy rates. Haiti also had poor farming systems, financial problems, and widespread diseases.

First, Estimé wanted to fix Haiti's financial situation. He aimed to free Haiti from financial control by the United States. This control came from old loans and agreements. In December 1946, Estimé sent a group to Washington. They tried to negotiate a new loan. The US government, however, rejected Haiti's request.

On March 25, 1947, President Estimé asked the Haitian people for help. He asked them to contribute to paying off the debt. People bought "Financial Liberation Bonds," and money came in from all over the country. Thanks to this effort and a new loan, Haiti repaid the American loan. On July 10, 1947, Haiti ended the financial control by the United States. On October 1, 1947, the National Bank of Haiti became fully Haitian-controlled.

Growing the Economy and Jobs

A major goal for Estimé was to fight unemployment and improve living standards. He also wanted to boost education for all Haitians. With Haiti free from debt, Estimé started policies to revive the economy. He also made changes to government finances to increase state revenue.

Estimé asked the United Nations (UN) to send a team to Haiti. This team would study the country's situation. They would then recommend ways to improve the economy, finance, education, health, and culture. The UN published their report, and the government used it for its development plan.

Exports and prices for farm products like coffee and bananas increased after the war. This helped Haiti's financial situation. Between 1946 and 1949, Haiti's government budget grew significantly. This was due to new taxes and profits from cement and sugar. At the same time, the country's public debt decreased.

Farming and Rural Development

Farming in Haiti faced many problems. These included small family farms, old farming methods, and soil damage. Most rural people lived in poverty.

Estimé understood the need to improve farming and help the rural economy. He also wanted to solve the problem of landless farmers. He started a plan for agricultural and rural development.

Many studies were done, and projects were carried out. One big project was the ODVA (Artibonite Valley Development Organization). This project used water from the Artibonite River for modern farming. It especially focused on rice fields. This helped improve life for local people. It also boosted exports of farm goods. This project continued even after Estimé's presidency.

Other projects included irrigation and drainage work. There were also projects for soil conservation and planting new trees. In 1947, the National Coffee Board was created. Its job was to support small farmers and promote coffee exports. Estimé also encouraged better farming methods and agricultural cooperatives. He improved training for agricultural experts. However, he did not have time to make big changes to land ownership.

Labor and Social Issues

Estimé encouraged private businesses to invest in Haiti. This helped the economy and created jobs. But he also cared deeply about fair labor policies. His government created the Ministry and Office of Labor in 1946.

Important changes included raising the minimum wage. He also introduced Haiti's first Labor Code in 1947. These steps greatly improved workers' rights. He also supported the creation of trade unions.

Public Works

Estimé wanted to build the basic structures Haiti needed for economic growth. He started many major public works projects, which created jobs. These included:

• Building a new town, Belladère, at the border with the Dominican Republic. This was a symbol of development.
• Constructing and repairing roads, bridges (like the Grand’Anse suspension bridge), markets, and public water fountains.
• Building public buildings and improving provincial towns.
• Developing Port-au-Prince for the International Exhibition.
• Spreading electricity to more towns. Power plants were opened in Croix-des-Bouquets, Belladère, and other cities.

1949 International Exhibition

In 1948, a law was passed to celebrate Port-au-Prince's 200th anniversary. The law stated that an International Exhibition would be held in December 1949. This exhibition was meant to boost tourism, agriculture, and industry. It was also hoped to strengthen ties between countries and restart economic relations. Port-au-Prince was seen as an important crossroads for sea and air routes.

The Exhibition covered a large area of 30 hectares (about 74 acres). It was built on land gained from the sea, cleaning up swampy areas. Haitian, American, and Belgian engineers worked together. It took only 18 months to organize, which was very fast.

The Exhibition opened on December 8, 1949. It had 56 pavilions and a casino. It was divided into four sections: National, International, heavy industry, and attractions. Eighteen countries, plus the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of American States (OAS), were represented.

President Estimé gave a speech at the opening. He welcomed representatives from friendly nations. He said the Exhibition was "one of the first stones of a new Haiti." He also thanked the hundreds of workers, both foreign and Haitian, who made it possible.

New laws were passed to attract foreign investment for the Exhibition. For example, materials for building hotels were free of import taxes for five years. New industries could also get tax breaks for up to five years.

The Exhibition brought many benefits to Haiti. Tourism grew rapidly. The number of visitors jumped from about 2,000 per year before the Exhibition to over 240,000 in the 1950s.

Education

President Estimé wanted to fight illiteracy. This effort was called the "Dumarsais Estimé Program." He aimed to educate people in cities and rural areas. This would help them contribute to Haiti's development. Laws were passed to reorganize the Ministry of National Education.

Teachers' salaries were increased to match the cost of living. The minimum salary for a teacher rose significantly. This made teaching in rural areas a more attractive career.

A law in 1946 set aside 10% of city revenues for building public schools. Between 1947 and 1949, 23 public schools were built. Existing school buildings were also improved.

In October 1946, there were only 623 teachers for 362 rural schools. By May 1949, the number of rural teachers increased by 34%. More than 40 schools and farm schools were built in rural areas. This helped thousands of Haitian children get an education.

Secondary education also improved. New high schools were founded in Port-au-Prince, Hinche, and Petit-Goâve. Existing high schools were renovated. In 1947, a law created the Ecole Normale Supérieure. This institution trained high school teachers. Less than two months later, the Ecole Polytechnique d’Haiti was created. This school trained engineers and architects, which were vital for building Haiti's future.

Health

Estimé's government also focused on providing basic healthcare for everyone. A large plan was put in place. It included:

• Equipping hospitals and laboratories.
• Increasing the number of health centers.
• Developing rural medicine and hygiene.
• Reorganizing the Faculty of Medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.
• French medical professors came to teach at the Faculty of Medicine.

Campaigns were launched against diseases like yaws, malaria, and tuberculosis. Projects also aimed to improve public hygiene and fight malnutrition. Laws in 1949 provided for training health staff and organizing public health services nationwide.

Foreign Policy

President Estimé's foreign policy had five main goals:

• Strong friendship with the United States.
• Working together with other American countries.
• Firm support for the principles of the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of American States (OAS).
• Supporting countries gaining independence and people's right to govern themselves.
• Respecting other countries' internal affairs and not interfering.

In 1946, Estimé's government reorganized Haiti's diplomatic service. It also strengthened relations with other American countries. Haiti signed trade agreements with Venezuela and established diplomatic ties with Guatemala and Panama. Haiti also signed the Inter-American Treaty of Mutual Assistance and the Charter of the Organization of American States.

Haiti's ties with the United States grew stronger. An agreement allowed an American Naval Mission in Haiti. A contract was signed with an American mining company to mine bauxite.

Estimé's government also showed interest in relations with the Dominican Republic. Haiti's diplomatic office there was upgraded to an embassy. Haiti also strengthened its ties with the Holy See (the Vatican).

On President Estimé's instructions, Haiti's representative to the UN voted for the creation of the State of Israel in 1947. Haiti also became an active member of UNESCO and joined GATT (a trade agreement) in 1947.

Extending the Presidential Term

On July 1, 1949, the legislature approved a law to change the Constitution. One change concerned the end of the president's term. This caused much debate. The opposition believed the real goal was to extend the president's time in office. This was against the 1946 Constitution, which said the president could not extend their term. This rule was meant to ensure regular changes in leadership.

As new elections approached in January 1950, public tension grew. In November 1949, the government declared a state of siege. This measure was seen as against the Constitution. Students began to strike for public freedoms. The government blamed certain political parties and closed their newspapers.

Senate Incident

The newly elected deputies supported the president's plans. However, the Senate still refused to change the Constitution. This created a disagreement between the Senate and the president. On May 8, 1950, a crowd entered the Senate chamber and damaged it. The crowd then went into the streets, threatening some senators. The president, in a message to the people, did not directly criticize the demonstrators. He asked them to remain calm and respect the law.

Military Takeover and Exile

The army quickly responded. Two days later, on May 10, military leaders declared that the president had lost control. They announced that the military group from 1946 would take over again. This marked the end of Dumarsais Estimé's government.

Soldiers entered the National Palace. Colonel Magloire and his officers entered the president's office. They asked him to sign a resignation letter they had prepared. President Estimé signed it.

Estimé and his family were kept at a villa for ten days. Then they were forced to leave Haiti. The family went into exile.

Life in Exile and Death

After a short stay in the United States, Estimé's family moved to France for a few months. To be closer to Haiti, Estimé then chose to go to Jamaica. They arrived there on January 23, 1951.

However, Jamaican immigration officials initially stopped them from entering the country. This was at the request of the Haitian government, now led by Paul Magloire. Magloire feared Estimé's presence so close to Haiti.

But W. A. Bustamante, a leader in Jamaica, was upset. He did not want his country to be told what to do by a foreign government. He quickly intervened with the British Governor of Jamaica. Mr. Bustamante boarded the ship to greet Estimé. He assured him that he would be safe in Jamaica. Estimé and his family were then allowed to stay. They lived at Bustamante's home for several weeks.

After a year in Jamaica, Estimé returned to France. He lived there until November 1952. He then moved to New York, where he passed away on July 20, 1953, at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

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  Dumarsais Estimé