A Brief History of Jamaica

The original inhabitants of Jamaica were the Arawaks. The Arawaks were simple people. Physically, they were short and well-built with course hair.

It is said, prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus, the name of the island was "Xaymaca." The Arawaks built villages all over the island, settling mostly on the coasts and near rivers. They led quiet and peaceful lives until they were basically wiped out by the Spaniards years after the island was discovered by Christopher Columbus on May 14, 1494. While some of the Arawaks fled to Cuba, some settled secretly in the north coast of Jamaica.

Following the destruction on the Arawak population, the first African slaves were imported to replace them. The Spaniards built its first town in Sevilla la Nueva, on flatlands near St. Ann's Bay. Then an outbreak of malaria forced them to abandon Sevilla la Nueva to establish St Jago de la Vega (known today as Spanish Town). Disappointed by the absence of gold on the island, Jamaica became a base - food, men, arms, horses, as well as slaves, were shipped from Spain to help in conquering the American mainland.

The Catholic Spaniards were known for converting Jews and Africans to their religion. When the amount of enslaved Africans they brought to the island from Spain were no longer enough, they began bringing more slaves directly from Africa. Also, Africans in Hispaniola (now Cuba), Panama, and Mexico fled to the island a little before the mid-1500's and created independent colonies. These free Africans are known today as the name given to them by the Spaniards, "Maroons." By the year 1611, it is said that Africans were half the amount of the Spanish population.    

In 1655, the island was captured by the British (with the help of the Maroons), led by Admirals Penn and Venables, following their unsuccessful invasion of Hispaniola. The Spaniards were given a few days to leave the island. 

 

After many invasions by the Spanish and the French, on February 1661, King Charles II appointed Edward D'Oyley as Governor to put an end to military strife; it marks the beginning of Jamaica's transition to a royal colony.

The English settlers focused on growing crops that could easily be sold in England. They started out with tobacco, cocoa and indigo, then sugar, which became the main crop for the island. After experimenting with indentured European labor, the British turned to the large-scale importation of Africans to be used as slaves on the sugar plantations. The slave trade soon became a popular and profitable venture for the British colonists.

Several slave rebellions stand out in Jamaica’s history; which eventually led to the abolition of slavery. The bill was passed on January 1, 1808.

Slaves were Emancipated in 1838, and the plantations had to begin paying wages to its workers. Following Emancipation, many of the ex-slaves settled down as small farmers in the mountains. In 1854, the first set of indentured laborers from East India ariived in Jamaica.

The ancient Constitution was soon exchanged for the Crown Colony system. The years following could see recovery and development. Education, health, and living conditions were greatly improved. In 1854, Chinese workers were imported. Years later, Chinese immigrants consisted mainly of business men.

Soon the island had evolved into a sovereign state and the island’s capital was moved from Spanish Town to Kingston in 1872. Jamaica gained its independence on August 6, 1962, with the British monarch as head of state.

References:

Jamaica Information Service. "The History of Jamaica." <https://jis.gov.jm/information/jamaican-history/>

Jamaica Timeline. <https://jamaicatimeline.com/>