a brief history of jamaica
It is believed that during 300-600 A.D. Indians from South America landed on the shores of Jamaica to begin settlement of our fair isle. It has been speculated that they might have been Arawak or Taino Indians. Some 800-900 years later a fierce band of Indians the Caribs also landed in Jamaica. During his second voyage Christopher Columbus landed in St. Ann's Bay and begins Jamaica's journey into the New World for better or worse.
In the early 16th century the first African slaves arrive in Jamaica. In the mid-seventh century, 1655, the English capture Jamaica from the Spanish. The Spanish flee to Cuba but their released slaves become an august part of our history as the Maroons, having the distinction of never being defeated in battle by the English. They earn the right to govern themselves in a treaty signed in 1739.
In 1760 a slave rebellion in Port Maria makes the Coromantee a known figure in Jamaican history. In 1807 the English abolish the slave trade to the colonies, but it takes a rebellion led by 'Sam Sharpe' a green preacher in Montego Bay in 1831. The severe retribution of the authorities creates the anti-slavery sentiment in England and in 1834 slavery is abolished.
In 1865, Jamaica is made a British colony after the government savagely represses the Morant Bay rebellion led by Paul Bogle by executing over 400 conspirators. In 1872 Kingston becomes the capital of Jamaica. In 1962 we are granted independence from England and so we remain today.
AD600-900
Indians arrived in Jamaica, probably in a number of excursions between these periods. The Arawaks or Tainos, there is some discussion probably originated in South America. As many as 100,000 Indians it is estimated lived all over Jamaica.
1494
In 1494 Christopher Columbus stumbled upon a bay on Jamaica's north coast that is now called St. Ann's Bay. He named the island St. Jago or Santiago in honour of St. James. The island was well inhabited at this time but eventually he was accepted and traded with the Indians. On his third voyage nine years later, after sailing from the Americas his two caravels, worm-eaten and tattered would go no further than St. Ann's Bay.
1494-1655
This period was the Spanish occupation of Jamaica. Initially the Spanish used Jamaica merely to stock supplies, it was not until 1510 that colonists arrived under the first governor. The island was more agricultural and self-governing. Apart from Spanish Town the capital most other towns were small settlements. The Church played an important role during this period but it was only a matter of time before someone would attempt to seize the island.
