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The magnificently splendid island of Jamaica has a long colorful history dating back to 4000 BC. Its wonderful and kind people endured colonization by the Spanish and the British until their independence in 1962. Read on if you want to know the historical origins of this great island nation in the Caribbean.
First-known Dwellers in Jamaica
The Arawak Indians and the Taino indigenous people were the first known dwellers of Jamaica. These two indigenous groups had migrated to the island from their place of origin in South America between the years 4000 and 1000 B.C.
By the time Christopher Columbus and his fleet arrived on the shores of Jamaica, the island already had some forms of political organization. Both the Arawak Indians and the Tainos had an established government that was headed by a Cacique or the chief of the tribe. The Cacique was supported by a group of nobles or wise men. Also, the island was already politically subdivided into regional chiefdoms, similar to the district divisions of the present day.
Spanish Occupation of Jamaica
Jamaica became a Spanish colony when Christopher Columbus and his expedition arrived on the shores of the island in 1494 and claimed the whole island for Spain. Jamaica was then given the name Santiago and was named a colony of Spain.
The Spaniards saw Santiago only as a supply base. As such, they did not exert mcuh effort to develop the island. Neither did the Spaniards settle on the island. Instead, they enslaved the Arawak Indians and the Tainos. The Tainos were increasing in number when the Spanish conquered Santiago but the treatment they got from the Spaniards rendered the indigenous group virtually extinct. When the Spaniards learned of the dwindling Tainos population in Santiago, they decided to bring Africans to the island to work as additional slaves along with the Arawaks. Eventually, the Arawak Indians were also wiped out by diseases, overwork, and inhumane treatment by the Spanish.
The British Conquest of Jamaica
By 1655, the British had conquered Jamaica and snatched it from the clasp of the Spaniards, so that they had sole control of the island by 1660. The British made use of the island for a different function than the Spaniards: they used the island as a base to attack Spanish ports and ships. Throughout their reign in Jamaica, the British had to constantly fight off the Maroons, a group of African slaves who had escaped into the mountains when the British arrived. Their battles ended in 1738 with the signing of a peace treaty.
Jamaica Achieves Prosperity
Jamaica finally found its niche and started to prosper in the 1700’s. At that time, sugar had become a major crop and the island went on to become one of the leading suppliers of sugar, not only in the Caribbean, but also in the European region. Jamaica was also the most important slave market in the western hemisphere.
By 1838, the British Parliament finally abolished slavery, granting freedom to all slaves in their territories. The end of slavery adversely affected the performance of the sugar industry. With large numbers of slaves going to work in sugar factories and some working as independent farmers, white sugar plantation owners could not keep up with local and international demand.
The Peasant Revolt and the Crown Colony in Jamaica
 After slaves had been freed, competition in the market, particularly in the sugar industry, increased tremendously. This resulted in disputes between the sugar plantation owners and their workers. By 1865, tension grew so strong that it led to the infamous peasant revolt known as the Morant Bay Rebellion in Jamaica. Peasants were led by Paul Bogle, a deacon from the Baptist religious sector. Nevertheless, the British troops were able to pacify the uprising.
Unfavorable conditions in Jamaica had led the British government to rethink and restructure the administration of the colony. In the previous two hundred years, Jamaicans were given leeway to elect the House of Assembly, a governing body that provided assistance to the British government in its rule over the island. However, after the Morant Bay Rebellion, the British government decided to eradicate the House of Assembly. Jamaica became a “crown colony” with Britain having sole and entire governance.
Jamaica’s Road to Independence
During the 1930’s, popular leaders and key figures in Jamaica suggested to the British Parliament that the British government give them more power and authority in terms of political governance. At first, the British were not entirely convinced and had to think the suggestion over. They finally heeded the request in 1944. Britain gave Jamaica a new constitution that included provisions for some form of self-governance.
Jamaica was one of the pioneer members when the West Indies Federation was founded in 1958. The country was an active member of the federation until it was abolished in 1962. It was during this time that Jamaica became a fully independent nation. It also became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations in the same year. The island also joined the Organization of American States in 1969.
 Turmoil in post-Independence Jamaica
While freedom gave Jamaicans an identity of their own, it also resulted in numerous challenges. Constant issues on inflation, unemployment, and poverty hit the nation. As such, many Jamaicans were not satisfied with their way of living nor with the actions and policies of their government. This eventually led to riots, violent demonstrations and criminal offenses.
As if these concerns were not enough, Jamaica was also subjected to tremendous economic problems during the 1970’s. Elected prime ministers from different political parties sought to solve these problems. For instance, Michael Manley who was selected in 1972 from the People’s National Party adopted socialistic policies in response to the growing economic issues. In addition, he also called for a policy of non-alignment with other nations. The same is true for Edward Seaga who was elected in 1980 from the Jamaica Labor Party. He implemented economic policies that could help private businesses and, at the same time, forge good relations with Western nations.
Present Situation in Jamaica
Today, Jamaica still has not been able to attain a stable and thriving economy. Progress has been made, however, as the island nation has taken a moderate course in terms of economic and foreign policies.
One of the most effective tools of Jamaica to achieve progress is its bustling tourism industry. The incredibly beautiful beaches of Jamaica attract droves of tourists each year. Perhaps with more effort toward developing and protecting its tourist attractions and more effective implementation of national policies, Jamaica will soon attain economic and and political stability.
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