Russell, John H. (1872–1947)

John H. Russell (b. 14 November 1872; d. 6 March 1947), military figure and diplomat. Born in Mare Island, California, Russell attended the U. S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1892. As brigadier general in the U.S. Marines, he served in Haiti throughout the U.S. occupation of that nation (1922–1934) holding the title U.S. high commissioner in Haiti, which combined military and diplomatic functions, from 1922 to 1930. As high commissioner, he reported directly to the U.S. State Department.

Russell was heavily involved in Haitian politics and development projects, drawing criticism for his suppression of revolts and maintenance of segregationist policies, even though he was considered an advocate of a diplomatic approach to solving Haiti's internal affairs and ending U.S. occupation. He was responsible for the gradual reduction of U.S. marines in Haiti and the training of the Haitian Garde, a local force designed to assume police duties in the interior. Both constituted important steps leading toward the eventual end of the occupation in 1934.

See alsoHaiti .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hans Schmidt, The United States and the Occupation of Haiti, 1915–1934 (1971).

Kenneth J. Grieb, The Latin American Policy of Warren G. Harding (1976).

Additional Bibliography

Renda, Mary A. Taking Haiti: Military Occupation and the Culture of U.S. Imperialism, 1915–1940. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2001.

                                      Kenneth J. Grieb