France from Haiti

Haiti gained independence from France in 1804. The French returned 21 years later with 12 warships armed with 500 cannons, and demanded that Haiti compensate France for its loss of men and slave colony.

In exchange for French recognition of Haiti as a sovereign republic, France forced Haiti to pay 150 million francs (modern equivalent of US$21 billion).

In 1838, France agreed to reduce the debt to 60 million francs to be paid over a period of 30 years.