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History of Jamaica

An island country in the Caribbean and the birthplace of the Rastafari religion and reggae music. 3 eras, 1509 to today.

Spanish Jamaica, 1509–1655 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Spanish Empire began its official governance of Jamaica in 1509, when the first Spanish settlement on the island was founded. In 1534 the settlers moved to a new, healthier site away from the malaria infested marsh lands. The Spaniards enslaved many of the native people, overworking and harming them to the point that most had perished within fifty years of European arrival. In May 1655, around 7,000 English soldiers landed near Jamaica's Spanish Town capital.

Seat of power: Spanish Town

Colony of Jamaica, 1655–1962 Draft, not yet reviewed

English forces launched an invasion of Jamaica in 1655, capturing the existing Spanish colony. Jamaica was primarily used for exporting sugarcane from plantations operated by African slaves, and experienced several rebellions over the course of British rule. Britain outlawed slavery in its empire in 1834, with full emancipation from chattel slavery declared in 1838. The colony was granted independence in 1962.

Seat of power: Kingston

Rulers

Jamaica, 1962 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

Jamaica achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962. Jamaica is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with power vested in the bicameral Parliament of Jamaica, consisting of an appointed Senate and a directly elected House of Representatives. Jamaica is the birthplace of the Rastafari religion and reggae music, along with the associated musical genres of dub, ska, and dancehall. Jamaica is an upper-middle-income country with an economy heavily dependent on tourism, including popular resorts.

Seat of power: Kingston

Rulers

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.