| History of Jamaica |
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Jamaica is a wonderful tourist destination with many offerings that cater to the many different palates of tourists. Because of the wonderful offerings of the island and the different tourist attractions, you may easily get lost in the historical arena. Thus, to help you understand Jamaica, it might be helpful to learn some of the historical past of this wonderful tropical island. The history of Jamaica is so colorful that it took them decades to become independent. However, while the history of Jamaica is so colorful, gone are the natives that you will see in Jamaica. How does this happen? Arawak time Before the Spanish rule, the Arawak Indians live in the island. They live a simple life and earn their living through fishing, hunting and small-scale cultivation of cassava. This simple life changed suddenly when Christopher Columbus came. Spanish time Christopher Columbus claimed the land for Spain in 1494. The Spanish occupation became a trauma to the simple arawaks. Diseases, plunder and disruption of economic activities hampered the natives. Many Arawaks immigrated to avoid the Spanish rule and some even resort to suicide to escape. The Spanish rule changed the name of the island to Santiago. The Spanish conquerors tried to find gold in the island, when they saw none; they became less interested in the island. In fact, when the British expedition came to the island, the Spaniards did nothing to defend the island. Because of the less significant changes done by the Spaniards during their occupation, very little evidence is visible to island today. The only Spanish evidence left is the Spanish town with several Spanish colonial architectures standing. The Slave Era The British reign in the land brought about large-scale importation. They imported Africans to be used as slaves in the sugar plantation. The sugar plantations gave prosperity to the island that made it known as the jewel of the English Crown. Today, the population of blacks in the island reached to as much as 90%. They all hailed from Africa and imported into the island as slaves. Slave trade ended in the 18th century, the slaves in Jamaica are released, and sugar plantation started paying wages to its workers. Some slaves settled to work in the plantations or small areas near the plantation but some opted to cultivate the mountain hills. Independence Independence rooted from the national movement for independence. In the 19th century, several Jamaica heroes fought to give independence to Jamaica and the self-government in 1944. In 1962, the first decade of political independence came about in the island. There are many more changes in the political history of Jamaica from then on. All however led to the independence that they are enjoying now. Immigration suddenly slow down as migration from other countries started in the island of Jamaica. Today, you will see many nationalities residing in the island. While 90% of them are black, Spanish, Irish, British and even Asians as now leaving side by side in Jamaica. While the history of Jamaica is colorful, you may think ahead to enjoy the many offerings of Jamaica. |