The History of Jamaica Timeline

The Brief History of Jamaica

  • Total Area of Jamaica: 10,990 km²
  • Population of Jamaica: 2,981,904
  • Capital of Jamaica: Kingston
  • Currency of Jamaica: Jamaican Dollar
  • Language of Jamaica: English

    What is the history of Jamaica Timeline
    What is the history of Jamaica Timeline

What is the history of Jamaica Timeline Religion in Jamaica

Jamaican Religion Ration as below

  • Protestant (64.8%)
  • Roman Catholic (2.2%)
  • Jehovah’s Witness (1.9%)
  • Rastafari (1.1%)
  • None (21.3%)
  • Other (6.5%)
  • Unspecified (2.3%)

A Summary of Jamaica’s History

History of Jamaica: The first inhabitants of Jamaica were the Arawaks, also called Taínos. They gave the island the name Xaymaca which means “land of wood and water”. The Arawaks lived peacefully until they were annihilated by the Spanish years after Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1494. Jamaica served primarily as a source of supplies in the conquest of the Americas. Later, in 1509, the first Spanish colonizers arrived. On 10 May 1655 the English successfully attacked the island.

The Spanish surrendered to the English attack. It was this group of slaves and their descendants who became the “Maroons”. The slave trade became a popular and profitable crusade for the colonizers. The slaves, however, felt miserable about their situation so they revealed themselves. The “Maroons” fought several wars against the English. In 1740, a treaty was signed with the English stating that the land and their rights as free men were returned to them. The History of Jamaica.

In return they offered to stop peeling and help recapture the runaway slaves, but this led to a conflict because some of the “Maroons” did not agree to hand over the runaway slaves. On January 1, 1808, the Abolition Act was passed. The African slave trade was definitively cancelled and declared an illegal activity. Emancipation and the apprenticeship took effect in 1834 and freedom was fully granted in 1838.

On August 6, 1962, Jamaica gained its independence from England. Now, the country has its own constitution where the laws that govern its people have been established. Jamaica’s modern history has been characterized by a back-and-forth between the Jamaica Labour Party and the People’s National Party. The principles of these two parties have changed over the years. History of Jamaica.

What is The History of Jamaicans

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Greater Antilles and the only English-speaking island, as it was a British colony until 1962. Its name comes from the Arawak word “Xamayca”, which means “country of woods and springs”. It is located in the south of Cuba and west of Haiti. The history of Jamaica Jamaica was inhabited by the Arawak Indians when Columbus explored that area in 1494 and named it San Yago. Jamaica remained under Spanish rule until 1655, when it became a British possession.

The Buccaneers also conquered Port Royal, until this city suffered a strong earthquake in 1692. The disease decimated the Arawaks, black slaves were imported to work on Jamaica’s sugar plantations. History of Jamaica.

The history of Jamaican
The history of Jamaican

Spanish Period Of Jamaica

History on Jamaica: The island of Jamaica was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage (5 May 1494) and was named After Santiago. In 1509, and at the behest of Diego Colón, Juan de Esquivel began its colonization, which was continued from 1514 by Francisco de Garay.
In this first period, the indigenous population was distributed. Subsequently, this was replaced by the massive importation of slaves. With the approval of the Old Spanish Crown, in 1537 Jamaica passed into the hands of the Columbus family. Its strategic position made it one of the main targets of English attacks. The History of Jamaica.

English Period in Jamaica

The English managed to occupy Jamaica in 1655. English possession was recognized by Spain in the Treaty of Madrid (1670). Jamaica became one of the main centers of smuggling and piracy in the Caribbean area. The importation of slaves made agriculture (cocoa and sugar cane) prosper. The progressive replacement of slave labor (whose importation was halted in 1807) by wage earners increased agricultural productivity and the volume of exports. The History of Jamaica.

However, the fall in prices that followed the abolition of the protective tariff (1846) created a climate of unrest among the black population, which led to the serious uprising of 1865. This uprising was put down thanks to a harsh repression. During the twentieth century the rise of the nationalist movement forced Britain to grant a democratic Constitution (1944), and the elections of 1955 yielded a result very favorable to nationalist groups.

In 1957 Britain granted full autonomy to Jamaica. In 1958 the island was integrated into the Federation of the West Indies along with Trinidad and Tobago. By the plebiscite of 1961 Jamaica left the Federation. History of Jamaica.

Independence of Jamaica

In August 1962 Jamaica achieved independence within the Commonwealth. Prominent figures of political life were Alexander Bustamante, Prime Minister since 1962, founder (1944) and chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party. Also Norman Manley, Prime Minister from 1955 to 1962 and then leader of the opposition, founder (1938) and chairman of the People’s National Party (PNP) until his death in 1969.The History of Jamaica.

The 1967 elections gave the victory to the Labour Party (JLP) and D. Sangster succeeded Bustamante. Labour’s dominance ended with the 1972 general election in which the NPP won a majority and formed a new government headed by Michael N. Manley.
He initiated a policy of “democratic socialism”, but as the economic crisis worsened and terrorism increased, the country entered a situation of frank bankruptcy, which led to the triumph of the Labour Party in the 1980 elections.

Its leader P.C. Seaga, opposed to the pro-Castro line maintained by Manley, assumed the leadership of the Government and exercised a policy of a moderate nature and collaboration with the US. The opposition boycott in the 1983 elections made the JLP the only parliamentary party and Seaga remained in power. The NPP denounced American dominance, especially in the economic aspect, and in the 1989 elections it regained the majority and its leader M. N. Manley was assigned head of government.

After his resignation (1992) he was replaced by Percival J. Patterson. The Pope visited Jamaica in 1993. In July 2001, serious riots broke out in the capital, Kingston, between opponents of Patterson’s policy and the police. The wave of violence that was put down by the army ended with numerous dead and wounded. The History of Jamaica.

History of the flag of Jamaica

Green, black and yellow, the Jamaican national flag sports the iconic Pan-African colors except red. This flag with the cross of San Andrés is the result of a contest. The flag of Jamaica has a great historical symbolism in all its colors:

• The black of the triangles alludes to the difficulties of the past and the problems that hinder the development of the country.
• Yellow represents the sun, the beauty of light and natural resources.
• Green evokes agriculture and the hope of a better future.History of Jamaica Flag Jamaica is steeped in the Rasta mystical and cultural movement, whose name derives from Ras Tafari (Hailé Selassié I). The latter Ethiopian emperor fought with all his might to modernize his country and abolish slavery.

The late reggae singer Bob Marley was the best-known “ambassador” of the island, until the emergence of the athlete Usain Bolt, world record of the 100 and 200 m smooth, and Olympic champion. Populated with slaves, it experienced a rapid and fulminating development with the crops of coffee, sugar and tobacco; then it was a refuge for pirates and buccaneers. These, and the incessant struggle of the British with the Maroons, indigenous refugees in the mountains, began the beginning of the end. The History of Jamaica.

History of Jamaica Flag
History of Jamaica Flag

When slavery was abolished, Jamaica entered a very severe crisis, and many of its inhabitants were condemned to emigration. Although it has never overcome the contradictions and remoras of its colonial past, Jamaica is today again the paradise of the Antilles, and it is because a minority, again of whites, have made it one of the most beautiful tourist reserves in the world.

Culture Of Jamaican

Natalie Marie (Natalie Marie Mitchell)
Natalie Marie (Natalie Marie Mitchell)

Women in Jamaica

Although Jamaican society can be unbearably macho to outsiders, Jamaicans are often strong, independent and economically active. This spirit often manifests itself in trust, as is evident in Portia Simpson-Miller, the country’s former prime minister. Jamaican women achieve university qualifications and enjoy a much higher literacy rate than men. Middle-class women have achieved levels of professional fulfillment comparable to those of their counterparts in North America and Europe.

Jamaican Woman Dress

Traditional women’s clothing in Jamaica consists of a dress or skirt and the top that are constructed with percale fabrics, which is a lightweight fabric with a pattern similar to that of pictures made locally in Jamaica and commonly used in local fashion. Local people handcraft much of Jamaica’s traditional dress. According to Maps of the World, women usually accompany their outfits with a headscarf that they wrap around their hair to keep their shoulders uncovered. Traditional Jamaican clothing for men consists of trousers that can be long or short and a short-sleeved shirt.

Festivals and Celebrations

Jamaica’s traditions and culture managed to combine a wide variety of cultures and still maintain peace. First of all, we can find people with Arawak or Taino ancestry, and with them their respective customs and rituals, along with sectors of society belonging to the Spanish immigration of the first years of the American discovery. Added to this we will also find a population mostly of African origin thanks to the periods of slavery, which filled America and the Caribbean with black people. People dress up and parade to the Jamaica National Stadium in Kingston. This celebration celebrates Jamaica’s independence.

Carnival

This is a week-long street festival. There are parades and street dances and colorful floats. On the last day people dress up and go down to the Jamaica National Stadium.

Fashion of Jamaica and Culture
Fashion of Jamaica and Culture
History Of Jamaica Queens

Her Majesty is The Queen of Jamaica and, as such, continues to play an important ceremonial and symbolic role in Jamaican life. Jamaica is a constitutional monarchy with The Queen as Sovereign. In all of her official duties relating to Jamaica, The Queen speaks and acts as Queen of Jamaica, quite distinct from her role in the UK. The Queen is represented on the island by a Governor-General appointed on the advice of the Jamaican Prime Minister.

The Governor-General is assisted by a Privy Council, consisting of six members appointed by the Governor-General in consultation with the Prime Minister. The Governor-General’s role is largely ceremonial. As the Queen’s representative, the Governor-General gives formal assent to the laws passed in Jamaica by the House of Representatives and the Senate before those laws can take effect. The History of Jamaica.

Summary of Jamaican History Timeline

• May 5, 1494, Christopher Columbus discovered Jamaica populated by the Arawak Indians.

• In 1510, the first Spanish settlers arrived on the island and subjected the Arawak people to slavery.

In 1523, they founded Villa de la Vega, the ancient Spanish city and first capital of Jamaica.
In the late 14th century, the Spanish began the slave trade between Africa and Jamaica.

• In 1655, the English attracted by the island’s resources, took over Jamaica, and founded Port Royal. It continued with the slave trade and developed the growth of sugar cane. Slaves escaped to the mountains to form resistance groups, called the Maroons.

• In 1833, slavery was abolished, and the sugarcane industry collapsed.
In 1865, a rebellion broke out in Morant Bay. Rebels and former slaves carried out violent resistance against government troops. The Court of Justice was set on fire and the suspects hanged by the governor.

• In 1872, Kingston became the new capital of Jamaica.
1907, a terrible earthquake hit the island where there were 800 dead.
From 1884 to 1938, the colonial authorities authorized the Jamaican people to vote for their representatives in the island’s Parliament.

• 1938 Two trade unions were formed: The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the National People’s Party (NPP).
• In 1944, the British government offered a Constitution to Jamaica. William Alexander Bustamante, President of the JLP, was elected in the first general election. The History of Jamaica.

History of Kingston Jamaica
History of Kingston Jamaica

In 1958, Jamaica joined the Caribbean Federation and in 1959 gained full government autonomy.

• August 6, 1962, the country gained independence and the JLP remained in power for ten years.
• In 1972, the NPP won the election, led by Michael Manley, and became Prime Minister.
• 1980, Edward Seaga of the JLP becomes Prime Minister.
• 1981, death of Reggae artist Bob Marley at the age of 36.

• In 1988, Hurricane Gilberto devastated the island leaving behind more than $300 million in damage and a quarter of the homeless population.History of Kingston Jamaica • 1989, the NPP retakes control in the elections, and Michael Manley returns to government.

• In 1992, Manley retires, and is succeeded by PJ Patterson, who remains in office until 2006, when he is succeeded by Portia Simpson-Miller. 2007, Bruce Golding, takes office.
• In March 2016Andrew Holness is the current Prime Minister.

Read Also History of Trinidad and Tobago

History of Jamaica 

The History of Jamaica 

History on Jamaica

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