Fabre Geffrard, a dark-skinned mulatto, restores the…

Fabre Geffrard, a dark-skinned mulatto, restores the old order of elite rule in Haiti.

His relatively long rule (1859-67) is peaceful and progressive, in contrast to that of his predecessor.

He is credited with a number of accomplishments: he produces a new constitution based on Alexandre Pétion's 1816 document, promotes education and organizes a medical school, cuts the army by half, and tries to improve the quality of cotton production.

He also signs a concordat with the Vatican in 1860 that ends a sixty-year schism with Rome, leads to abler clergy, and gives Roman Catholicism a privileged position among religions in Haiti.

Geffrard also wins recognition for Haiti from the United States in 1862.