Independence and Post-Independence.

Finally, on August 6, 1962 Jamaica became an independent nation, taking back their power from the UK.(D) They had full dominion-status in the Commonwealth and Bustamante continued his reign as Prime Minister.(C)The next year, Jamaica was added to the International Monetary Fund and Queen Elizabeth II paid a state visit to Jamaica in 1966. 
 The first general election after the independence was held in February of 1967, but this particular election had a considerable amount of violence between parties. Sangster was eventually made prime minister, but died shortly after taking office. The result caused Michael Manley to take the job as prime minister instead.(A) Manley then took on a number of social reforms, and a program to reduce illiteracy.(A) In the many elections and changes of power that followed the independence of Jamaica, the island's power and strength increased over the next few decades. The island became it's own country, and earned the right to run it's own government.

A New Crown Colony and Government Disputes

After the Jamaican Assembly had voted for its own expulsion, Parliament made Jamaica a Crown Colony starting in 1866.(A) Jamaica's new governor, Sir John Peter Grant now held the only executive or legislative power on the island.Grant established a police force, a new judicial system, medical service, a public works department, and a government savings bank to reorganize the island.(A)He also made local 'magistrates' and improved schools to better the community. 
Also, during this time, Jamaica's economy no longer depended on sugar exports. After the 19th century, Captain A.W. Baker founded a group that would later be known as the 'United Fruit Company' and started Jamaica's trade of bananas. Bananas were soon known as the main export crop all over Jamaica.(A)
However, in the 1920's-1930's, the Great Depression brought on dissatisfied feelings regarding the Crown Colony system.(A) Rioting began in 1938 and labour unions were established for the first time, linking to political parties. Next, a Constitution in 1994 made a House of Representatives for the first time on the island and established a Legislative Council.(E) This constitution, later changed in 1953 to allow government ministers, helped Jamaica get full self-government two years later. 
In 1958, Jamaica became the founder of the West Indies Federation (a group of Caribbean islands formed in the Commonwealth)causing an even bigger influx of self-government.(A,D) Norman Manley elected as 'premier' in 1959 then dealt with resistance from Sir Alexander Bustamante. Bustamante wanted to pull out of the federation, and after a vote in 1961, the country agreed. Bustamante became premier in 1962, and the federation was discontinued.  

External Threats and New Laws

Following the Maroon Wars, opposing threats from outside countries became a problem for the island of Jamaica. A French fleet, with Spanish assistance, decided to invade Jamaica in 1782, but British admirals George Rodney and Samuel Hood stopped the process in the Battle of the Saintes off Dominica.(A) Then, following this joyful defeat, Admiral Sir John Duckworth defeated the last French brigade that would threaten Jamaica in 1806. 
Following these triumphs, new laws were set in place by British Parliament changing the slave trade.(C) The slave trade was officially abolished in 1807, increasing many plantation owner's costs. Then in 1837, the Emancipatory Act freed all slaves in Jamaica. Other than a small compensation for Jamaican farmers, financial resources dropped and labor forces reduced. The final outcome resulted with the removal of the protective tariffs in 1846.(A) This caused a huge drop in the price of sugar, effecting Jamaica's economy greatly over the next few years.

Colonial Experiance and Internal Affairs

Starting from 1672, the slave trade from Africa to Jamaica grew rapidly. The increase of production and work force allowed products like sugar, indigo, and cacao to be frequently exported out of the island. When we look at the history of Jamaica, there is one outlying factor that made Jamaica appealing to other countries. Jamaica had a rapidly growing trade of sugar. Jamaica's blossoming trade of sugar attracted many neighboring countries' attention, as it was the largest trade dominating the market for  more than 150 years.(E) 


However, this trade led to internal problems within the island itself. An increase of slaves and labor led to civil instability, such as revolts caused by unstable food supplies.(C) While trying to face high production costs, coffee became another crop added to the mix because plantation owners wanted more production. This increase in slave labor and production led to two of the most vicious periods in the 18th century: the Maroon Wars. Following the first war in 1725-39, the island's governor gave freedom to members of Maroon warrior Cudjoe's group, and handed over control of inside lands.(A)This shift led to the second Maroon War in 1795-97 when British forces won by burning towns, and destroying crops along the way.(A) After fighting finally stopped, about 600 Maroons were deported from Jamaica, never to return. Although the wars were finished though, revolts then broke out against the missionaries because it was believed that they were causing revolts among commoners. Churches were burned to the ground and missionaries feared for their lives.(A) These two examples of internal problems show the vulnerable and unstable state Jamaica was in after early Conquest, while also proving that Britain had to fight to keep Jamaica under their control.

Conquest and Defeat

In 1655, the fight over full-ownership of Jamaica began. Britian seized Jamaica under the leadership of Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables. (A) The British then proceeded to remove the Spanish settlements and inhabitants from the island. However, before this task could be completed, many Spaniards escaped and formed communities.(B) The buccaneers that came from Britain to settle in Jamaica gave the Spanish relentless trouble by attacking Caribbean cities, but this managed to keep Spanish revolts in check. This also secretly posed a threat to the Spanish and the silver and gold trade because the buccaneers caused chaos within the Spanish military system(A) Then, when the Spanish finally recognized British power and their own defeat, after 15 years of conflict and war, the Treaty of Madrid was formed and Jamaica finally surrendered to the British in 1670. 

However, after the Treaty of Madrid in 1670, the buccaneers that were used to keep the Spanish in line were being suppressed on the island.(A) Also, The Royal African Company began a slave market that would soon be known as the busiest trade in the world.[This is also discussed later in Colonial Experience and Internal Affairs.] 

Early History

The island of Jamaica was first discovered in 1494 by Christopher Columbus. Beofre this time, the island was inhabited by the Arawaks. Then, in 1509, the natives were overcome by Spanish settlers when Juan de Esquivel established the first European settlement on the island. (A)  However, after the island was discovered by the Spanish and invaded by settlers exploring new lands, the Arawak natives were soon wiped out due to slavery, disease, and war. (E)