Also known as: Boyer's occupation of the East, Haitian unification of Hispaniola 1822, Eastern occupation
Last updated: April 26, 2026
On February 9, 1822, Jean-Pierre Boyer led Haitian forces into Santo Domingo, unifying the entire island of Hispaniola under Haitian rule for twenty-two years. The occupation followed a brief declaration of independence by eastern Hispaniola from Spain and an invitation extended to Boyer by a faction of eastern leaders. Boyer abolished slavery in the East (which had been restored by Spain in 1809), distributed land to Black Haitian soldiers, imposed Haitian law including military conscription, and attempted to integrate the eastern population into the Haitian state. Spanish-speaking elites resented the cultural imposition; rural populations benefited from emancipation. The occupation ended with the Dominican Declaration of Independence on February 27, 1844.
Boyer led the Haitian forces that unified the island under Haitian control
The 22-year Haitian occupation ended with Dominican independence in 1844
The occupation extended Haitian rule across the formerly Spanish eastern half of Hispaniola
If you use rasin.ai data or findings in your research, please cite us:
Chicago
"Haitian Occupation of Santo Domingo." 1822. Rasin.ai, 2026. https://rasin.ai/connections/events/haitian-occupation-santo-domingo-1822. Accessed 2026-05-05.