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The Failed 1958 Coup Anecdote
- A band of eight rebels, including exiled Haitian soldiers and Americans disguised as tourists, attempted a coup in Haiti in 1958.
- Their small force briefly gained control of a military barracks near the presidential palace before being overwhelmed.
Duvalier's Paranoia Spurs Militias
- The failed coup showed Duvalier he could not trust the army, even after purges.
- He realized he needed a loyal private militia stronger than the army itself to secure his power.
Tonton Macoute's Role and Name
- Duvalier created the Tonton Macoute, a private militia feared for its violence and given free reign to act in his interest.
- The name evokes a terrifying Haitian bogeyman, enhancing their psychological impact.