1. Haitian dictators stole money from the people for their own pleasure, leaving once rich families on the streets.

2. Soil erosion has impaired farmers trying to make a living.

3. Lack of knowledge and literacy has destroyed many Haitian dreams of getting a job that pays well abroad.

4. In 1838, the Haitians had to pay the French a debt of 150,000,000 to pay slave owners who lost money during the Haitian slave revolution. This weakened Haiti's economy considerably.

5. Since a slave-free Haiti was considered a threat to the right of using slaves, a boycott of Haitian products further weakened the countries' economy.

6. Haiti is today made further poor because the US supplies government extortionists with comfortable aid packages and not the people.

7. The fact that Haiti has high rates of unemployment so it can't send goods to other countries for money.

8. The lack of social infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, etc.

9. The occupation of the US Marines in 1915 dealt a severe blow to Haitian image.

10. Since only people who speak French in Haiti are allowed a proper education.

I got this information from an essay written by graduate student Bob Corbett.