History of Jamaica

From the most ancient times Jamaica was invaded by Indians from nation of the Arawaks, undertaking in the core hunting and fishery while in 1494 here there was no Christopher Columbus's caravel. The great seafarer has deprived indigenous population of freedom and declared island the Spanish colony. Ruthless maintenance in XVI century has led almost to utter annihilation of Indians. Since 1513 importation to Jamaica slaves from Africa for job on plantations has begun. Weakening of the Spanish power in the middle of XVII century has allowed the Great Britain to take possession in 1655 of Jamaica and to transform it into the largest centre of a slave-trade. For ones and a half the subsequent centuries here it has been sold about million persons.

By XVIII century Negroes on island compounded population overwhelming majority. Their severe maintenance on tobacco and raw sugar plantations (main paper of the Jamaican economy) has called the strongest revolts. Developed in the Latin American colonys from the beginning of XIX century struggle for independence has found the response and in the English possession. The rule in 1831-1834 became especially acute. Colonial authorities had to go on serious concessions and in 1838 to cancel slavery.

In the XX-th century the people of Jamaica have once again used weakening the Great Britain, undermined economic power during the Second World War. In 40th years the new wave of national struggle for independence has begun. In 1943 the mother country has been forced to inject the overall suffrage, and on August, 6th, 1962 recognised complete political independence of island.

Now Jamaica - the popular rich resort which has saved the dazzling nature and traces of the past.