The beginning of the History of Haiti and Hispaniola begins with the Taino Indians. The Indians crossed the Bering Strait from Asia to what is now Alaska. They migrated South across the Americas. A few bands from S. America worked their way back North along the Caribbean Islands. The Tainos eventually settled the bigger islands while it seems the more warlike Caribs settled the smaller islands closer to S. America. Then as we all know Christopher Columbus came in 1492. The picture above represents that meeting. He was in a hurry to find verification that he had indeed found Asia or at least find some kind of gold or treasure to ensure a legacy.   As for the Indians he was quick to point out their hospitality and the fact that they would make good slaves as they did not seem to practice much the art of war. 

The first European settlement in the New World other than the Vikings in Newfoundland was Navidad on the north coast in what is now Haiti. One of Columbus' ships sank on a reef and they decided to create a settlement on the island. By the time Columbus came back on his second journey they were all dead. They had worn out the hospitality of the Indians with their immorality and lust for gold.