Jamaica

Jamacian History

The settlement of the first people

The first people to come to Jamaica were people from Venezuela, known as the Arawaks. They are thought to have come to Jamaica in two major waves, the first in 650 AD, and the second in 900 AD. They were then joined by the Caribs, who came from Guiana. While the Arawaks were a peaceful people, the Caribs were cannibalistic and fierce fighters. Much fighting arose between these two groups.

Invasion by Columbus and Conquistadors

Columbus came to Jamaica in 1494. With him, he brought fear, disease and terror to the Jamaicans. He named the island Jamaica because he heard tthe natives call it Xaymaca. He brought smallpox and other horrible dieases, to which islanders had no antibodies. Most of them died out soon after Columbus arrived, and those that didn't were tortured and terrorized by Columbus and his sailors. He then left and returned several years later on his last voyage to the new world. During this voyage, he spent a year stranded on Jamaica trying to rebuild his boats.

The First European Settlers

Soon after Columbus, in about 1510, there was an influx of Spanish Europeans. The Spanish, under the rule of Jaun de Esquivel, treated the Jamaicans no better than Columbus had and even more of the aboriginal Jamaicans died. At first they settled a beautiful area near St. Ann's Bay, and made a exquiotselty beautiful town named New Seville (sfter the governor) but then had to move due to the area's climate and swampy conditions. They then settled in present day Spanish Town. They built a beautiful city, with 500 houses and several churches. Unfortunately, none of this city remains, have rotted away after years of neglect and disuse.

The Unwelcome English

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