History of Jamaica
The history of Jamaica is a rich and vibrant tapestry that inspires us to forge a prosperous future as a nation. Our narrative encompasses both the arduous experiences of hardship and the triumphant journey of growth and determination. Jamaica’s history has been immortalized in poetic verse by Howard Pyle, who aptly describes the island as a woman with a storied past.
Jamaica, like many another of the West Indian Islands, is like a woman with a history. She has had her experiences and has lived her life rapidly. She has enjoyed a fever of prosperity founded upon those incalculable treasures poured into her lap by the old time buccaneer pirates. She has suffered earthquake, famine, pestilence, fire and death: and she has been the home of cruel merciless slavery, hardly second to that practiced by the Spaniards themselves. Other countries have taken centuries to grow from their primitive life through the flower and fruit of prosperity into the seed time of picturesque decrepitude. Jamaica has lived through it all in a few years.
– Howard Pyle, “Jamaica New and Old” in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, January 1890
Original Inhabitants
The original inhabitants of Jamaica were the Arawaks, also known as Tainos. These indigenous people originated from South America approximately 2,500 years ago and bestowed upon the island the name Xaymaca, which translates to “land of wood and water.” The Arawaks were a gentle and uncomplicated people by nature. Physically, they possessed light brown skin, short stature, and coarse, black hair. Their facial features were broad, and their noses were flat.
The Arawaks cultivated a diverse range of crops, including cassava, sweet potatoes, maize (corn), fruits, vegetables, cotton, and tobacco. Tobacco cultivation was extensive due to its popularity as a recreational activity.
The Arawaks constructed their villages throughout the island, with a preference for coastal and riverine locations, as fishing provided a significant source of sustenance. Fish constituted a substantial component of their diet. The Arawaks lived relatively tranquil and peaceful lives until their decimation by the Spanish conquistadors.
The Discovery of Jamaica
On May 5, 1494, European explorer Christopher Columbus, sailing westward in pursuit of the East Indies, encountered the region now known as the West Indies. This transpired during his second voyage to the West Indies. Columbus had received information about Jamaica, then referred to as Xaymaca, from the Cubans, who described it as “the land of blessed gold.” However, Columbus soon discovered that Jamaica was devoid of gold.
Upon arriving at St. Ann’s Bay, Columbus encountered the Arawak Indians inhabiting the island. Initially, Columbus perceived these Indians as hostile, as they attacked his men when they attempted to disembark. Undeterred by this initial setback, Columbus remained resolute in his mission to annex the island in the name of the king and queen of Spain. Additionally, Columbus sought wood, water, and an opportunity to repair his vessels. He subsequently sailed down the coast and anchored at Discovery Bay, where he encountered similar hostility from the Arawaks. However, their demeanor shifted after being attacked by a dog from one of the Spanish ships and Columbus’ crossbowmen. This incident resulted in the deaths and injuries of some Arawaks. Consequently, Columbus was able to land and claim the island. Upon their arrival, the Spaniards subjected the Arawaks to brutal treatment and exploitation, ultimately leading to their demise due to overwork and disease. The introduction of European illnesses to which the Arawaks had little resistance accelerated their decline.
Under Spanish rule, the island remained impoverished, as a limited number of Spaniards chose to settle here. Jamaica primarily served as a supply base, facilitating the transportation of food, men, arms, and horses to aid in the conquest of the American mainland. Fifteen years after their initial visit, in 1509, the first Spanish colonists arrived on the island under the governorship of Juan de Esquivel. They initially established settlements in the St. Ann’s Bay region, with the first town founded as New Seville or Sevilla la Nueva. Towns were merely settlements. The sole developed town was Spanish Town, the former capital of Jamaica, then known as St. Jago de la Vega. It served as the center of government and trade, boasting numerous churches and convents.
The limited attention the colony received from Spain soon precipitated a significant internal conflict. This contributed to the colony’s decline during the final years of Spanish occupation. Governors lacked adequate support from home, leading to quarrels with church authorities that undermined their authority. Frequent attacks by pirates further exacerbated the colony’s challenges.
The English Invasion
On May 10, 1655, Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables led a successful English assault on Jamaica. The Spanish surrendered to the English, liberated their enslaved population, and subsequently fled to Cuba. This influx of freed slaves and their descendants became known as the Maroons.
The early period of English settlement in Jamaica garnered significant attention to the buccaneers based at Port Royal. Buccaneering originated on the islands of Tortuga and Hispaniola. These notorious sea rovers were characterized by their wild, rough, and ruthless nature. They plundered gold, silver, and jewels and brought them to Port Royal. Prior to this period, Port Royal was a mere insignificant town in Jamaica. Under the leadership of the buccaneers, the town experienced remarkable growth within a decade and a half, transforming into one of the “wealthiest and wickedest cities in the world.”
Henry Morgan, widely regarded as the most renowned buccaneer captain, commenced his career as a pirate and later transitioned into the role of a privateer. Morgan’s relentless raids on Spanish fleets and colonies effectively diverted the Spanish military’s attention from defending their coastlines, thereby enabling Jamaica to remain relatively secure. In recognition of his contributions, Morgan was knighted by King Charles II of England and appointed Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica in 1673. He passed away in 1688.
On June 7, 1692, a catastrophic earthquake devastated Port Royal, leading to the abandonment of the port by its surviving inhabitants who relocated to Kingston. Despite this setback, Port Royal subsequently emerged as a pivotal naval base during the eighteenth century.
The Slave Trade
The English settlers primarily focused on cultivating crops that could be readily sold in England. Tobacco, indigo, and cocoa were initially the primary crops, but sugar soon emerged as the dominant crop for the island. The exponential growth of the sugar industry resulted in a remarkable transformation. The 57 sugar estates established in 1673 had nearly quadrupled to approximately 430 by 1739.
Enslaved Africans provided the substantial labor force required for the sugar industry. The colonists were astounded by the resilience and productivity of African laborers, as well as the cost-effectiveness and potential for long-term growth. Consequently, they continued to transport Africans to the West Indies for sale to planters, who subjected them to forced labor on sugar plantations.
The slave trade became a lucrative and widely embraced venture for the colonists. The transportation of slaves became an integral part of colonial life, with the journey from Africa to the West Indies becoming known as the ‘Middle Passage.’ This term was derived from the fact that a British slaver’s voyage typically involved three distinct legs. The first leg commenced from England, carrying trade goods to Africa, where they were exchanged for enslaved Africans. Subsequently, the journey continued to the West Indies, where the enslaved individuals were disembarked and sugar, rum, and molasses were loaded onto the ship for the final leg back to England.
However, the enslaved Africans resented their oppressive status and frequently resorted to rebellion whenever possible. Many of them achieved remarkable success in escaping from the plantations and joining the Maroons, who had established a thriving community in the virtually inaccessible mountains.
Several notable slave rebellions in Jamaica’s history stand out, including the Easter Rebellion of 1760, led by Tacky, and the Christmas Rebellion of 1831, which commenced on the Kensington Estate in St. James and was led by Sam Sharpe. Sharpe’s subsequent recognition as a National Hero underscores the significance of these rebellions.
The Maroons also engaged in several conflicts with the English. Following two major Maroon Wars in 1739 and 1740, treaties were concluded with the British. The treaty of 1740 granted the Maroons land and the rights of free men in exchange for their cessation of hostilities and assistance in recapturing escaped slaves. However, this treaty engendered division among the Maroons, as not all factions concurred on the necessity of returning runaway slaves to the plantations.
The recurring slave rebellions in the Caribbean contributed to the eventual abolition of the slave trade and slavery. Other influential factors included the efforts of humanitarians who championed the well-being of enslaved individuals. Humanitarian organizations such as the Quakers publicly denounced slavery and the slave trade, establishing an anti-slavery committee that attracted support from prominent figures like Granville Sharp, James Ramsay, Thomas Clarkson, and later, William Wilberforce.
On January 1, 1808, the Abolition Bill was enacted, proclaiming the complete abolition of the slave trade and declaring it “utterly abolished, prohibited, and declared to be unlawful.” Emancipation and apprenticeship were implemented in 1834, with full freedom granted in 1838. Following the abolition of slavery, the impoverished classes faced significant challenges. Although most English planters had departed, the existing oligarchic system persisted. The will of the majority was disregarded, exacerbating the situation. The American Civil War further compounded the crisis by disrupting supply chains to the island and a severe drought was devastating crops.
In October 1865, the Morant Bay Rebellion erupted, led by Paul Bogle. Bogle and his men stormed the Morant Bay Courthouse during a session, resulting in the deaths of several white individuals, including the parish custos. The rebellion was quelled by Governor Edward John Eyre, who ordered the execution or shooting of over 430 individuals, as well as the flogging of hundreds more and the destruction of 1,000 dwellings.
Paul Bogle and George William Gordon, now revered as National Heroes, were executed for their role in the rebellion. Gordon, a prominent African legislator who advocated for the plight of the poor, was unjustly blamed for the unrest.
Eyre was subsequently recalled to England but not before implementing the Crown Colony system, replacing the island’s ancient constitution. The ensuing years witnessed the island’s recovery and development, encompassing social, constitutional, and economic transformations. It evolved into a sovereign state.
Education, healthcare, and social services underwent substantial improvements. A comprehensive island-wide savings system was established. Infrastructure development included the construction of roads, bridges, and railways (railways became government-owned in 1845). Cable communication with Europe was also secured in 1859. The island’s capital was relocated from Spanish Town to Kingston in 1872.
In the 1930s, Jamaica teetered on the precipice of another crisis. The contributing factors were widespread discontent stemming from the perceived sluggishness of political progress. For instance, the global economic depression, the devastation wrought upon the banana industry by Panama Disease, the decline in sugar prices, the escalating unemployment exacerbated by the curtailment of migration opportunities, and the precipitous rise in population growth all contributed to this crisis. The culmination of these disturbances was the eruption of widespread violence and rioting in 1938.
Out of these tumultuous events emerged the genesis of the first labor unions and the formation of the two dominant political parties. The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), founded by Sir Alexander Bustamante, played a pivotal role in this transformation. Sir Alexander Bustamante was also the founder and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which was affiliated with the BITU. On the other hand, Norman Manley founded the National Workers’ Union and the People’s National Party (PNP). Both Sir Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley were instrumental in Jamaica’s gradual ascent towards self-governance. The inaugural general elections under Universal Adult Suffrage were held in December 1944.
In 1958, Jamaica, along with ten other Caribbean nations, forged the Federation of the West Indies. However, the concept of Caribbean unity soon lost traction in 1961, as Jamaicans overwhelmingly rejected the Federation of the West Indies in a referendum.
On August 6, 1962, Jamaica gained its independence from the United Kingdom. Since then, Jamaica has established its own constitution, which outlines the legal framework governing the country. The constitution guarantees the rights, freedoms, and equal treatment of all Jamaican citizens.
The Jamaican Constitution
The Constitution serves as the most fundamental legal document in Jamaica, safeguarding the rights and privileges of every citizen. It reflects the nation’s independence as a sovereign state and continues to be the cornerstone of Jamaica’s legal systems and institutions. The constitution came into effect on August 6, 1962, the day Jamaica achieved political independence from Britain after over 300 years of British colonial rule. While it was the first constitution for a politically independent nation, it was not the first legal framework for the island. For more information, please refer to the following link.