Spanish controlled colonies that became countries
haiti
The revolution of Haiti began in 1789, known then as Hispañola. At the time, it was divided up into two portions. The west side was under the Spanish flag, while the east was under French control. Inspired by the French Revolution as well as Napoleon conquering Spain, talk of Independence spread. Fueled by desire of freedom, black slaves flocked to the banner of Toussiant Lourveture, who became the de facto leader in 1798, and appointed governor for life in 1801. He originally adopted the French tricolor. However, after a large French invasion which resulted in the capture and eventual death of Lourveture, his lieutenant, Dessalines, revolted in July 1802. He suppressed the white stripe of the French flag, and used a red and blue flag, with the words "Liberty or Death" in French in white. After declaring independence, Dessalines was named emperor Jacques I, and changed the blue stripe on the flag to black, to symbolize the "Liberty or Death" slogan. However, in 1806, Jacques was murdered, and the country was divided into north and south portions. The south, or Republic of Haiti, used the current flag, which is two horizontal bands of blue and red, with a white square in the middle bearing the coat of arms. In the north, the old flag of Dessalines was used. In 1812, the leader there proclaimed himself Henri I, King in the North, and restored Jacques empire flag. However, in 1820 he killed himself when facing a coup as well as the south invading. After his death, Haiti was soon reunited under the colors of the south. For a brief period from 1849-1859, the coat of arms of Emperor Faustin I, but the flag was changed back after he was overthrown. While not stable, the flag remained unchanged until 1964, when a dictator named Dulavier established a dictatorship. He established the old imperial flag of black and red, with the full coat of arms. I 1986, Dulavier's son was overthrown, and after 36 more years of struggle, the old flag was finally readopted in 2012, made square as a part of its readoption.
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dominican republic
The island of Hispainola was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, and flew under the Spanish flag. In 1629, French gained control of the eastern portion of the island, flying french colors. After a brief independence promised by Lourveture in 1801, the French regained control of their portion of the island. They were invaded by Jacques I in 1805, under the red and black imperial flag. However, he was soon pushed out by Spanish and British forces in 1808. Spain held Santo Domingo from 1809-1821. Afterwards, they overthrew the Spanish government there, but were soon themselves overthrown by the republic of Haiti, governed under the flag of Haiti. They were brutally mistreated by the Haitian government for 22 years before declaring independence. In 1838, a revolution group known as the trinitarians tried to form their own country. Their flag was the flag of Haiti with the cross of Constantine, surrounded by 10 stars. In 1844, the flag was modified like so. While there was a brief Spanish occupation from 1861-1865, the flag has remained unchanged since 1844, 14.
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