Empire of Haiti

The First Empire of Haiti was an elective monarchy in North America, established on January 1, 1804, after Haiti declared independence from France. Governor-General Jean-Jacques Dessalines created the empire on September 22, 1804, and was proclaimed Emperor Jacques I. The constitution of May 20, 1805, outlined the empire's governance, dividing the country into six military divisions and establishing an elective crown where the emperor could appoint his successor. The constitution also prohibited white people, except naturalized Germans and Poles, from owning property. Jacques I was assassinated on October 17, 1806, leading to a split into the Republic of Haiti and the State of Haiti.