A short fragment in the past...
The Jamaica history is one with many height- and lowest points. Many events preceded the independence of Jamaica in 1962. In general it is assumed that the Awarak Indians were more or less the first inhabitants.
These seafaring people sailed from South America into the Caribbean around 500 AD. After their first foot on shore on Jamaican soil they developed themselves to excellent fishermen and agriculturists.
Xaymaca
And it were the Awaraks who were responsible for the present name of the island. They called their new country Xaymaca which means Land of wood and water, Island of the springs.
Soon after the Awarak Indians had settled down in Jamaica several events came one after the other.
Christopher Columbus "discovered" the island and in 1510 the Spaniards founded the village of Sevilla la Nueva (New Sevilla), nowadays known as St. Ann's Bay.
The first slaves set foot ashore on Jamaican ground.
The English
After many abortive attempts of the English to take several islands in the Caribbean area from the Spaniards on the 10th of May 1655 they, by surprise, easily conquered Jamaica. Only a few cannon-shots sufficed to capture Spanish Town. Spanish Town. The remainder part of the island followed quickly.
The Spaniards freed their slaves. These settled down deep in the hills and lived there for centuries. However the English never got any influence upon these Maroons.
A big problem of the first English colonists was defense. Jamaica became the target of buccaneers and pirates. One of the most famous buccaneers at that time was Henry Morgan. Born in Wales he developed into a tactical military man, praised and feared. During the same period the sea was harassed by pirates. Many ships were attacked and plundered. Who does not know him, Edward Teach, alias Blackbeard?
The colonists developed into dexterous businessmen.
Tobacco, cotton and cocoa became important export products. But the most lucrative surely was sugar. Many plantation-owner became wealthy by cultivating sugar cane.
Black page
And herewith a new black page came into the Jamaican history namely the trade in slaves. The plantation owners had a shortage of manpower and so slave trade became a prosper business which only in 1834 came to an end. After abolishing of slavery Jamaican history fell into rapids. Time for changes had come.
Of course this these changes were not attained without a blow. The Christmas rebellion and the Morant Bay rebellion are eloquent evidences of it. Jamaica was converted into a British Crown colony.
After the First World War Jamaica became conscious of his identity. Alexander Bustamante established the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) which became the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) later. Norman Manley became the sight of the People's National Party (PNP).
Ultimately Jamaica became independent.
Present Jamaica was born.
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