Why hasn't Haiti progressed much beyond the plantation atmosphere and standard of living during its 200 years? Look what the United States has done since 1776!
A lot of reasons. Mostly due to not having a firm foundation to build on.
1. The French first killed off the natives.
2. Then they imported and viciously brutalized slaves.
3. They built an entire economy on slavery and the rum trade.
4. They taught the slaves a twisted version of Catholicism.
5. The Haitians revolted, killed all the whites, and dedicated Haiti to Satan.
6. They were illiterate. Europe and the US embargoed them. They had no spiritual foundation.
7. Nearly all of the their leaders have been vicious dictators from Louverture to the Dulaviers and Aristide.
The US was founded on laws, Christianity, education, and democracy. That's the difference.