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May 5, 1494
Jamaica was Discovered
Jamaica was first inhabited by the Ciboney, Arawak and the Carib Indians. The Europeans didn't arrive until Columbus found the new world. Hey was sailing the West Indies when he landed in Jamaica. This happened on his second trip to the Indies. -
Jan 1, 1509
Spanish Claims Jamaica
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Jamaica is Siezed by the British
The population of Jamaica at this time was only around 1,500, and they had little defences. Jamaic ahad no chance and was invaded by the British, but soon after many died from sickness. This invasion later led to actual war between Spain and England. -
Treaty of Madrid
Jamaica formally cedes to the British. At this time Jamaica had the worlds largest sugar exportaion. Slavery was very big at this time as well, African slaves were imported for labor and the sugar plantaions needed many many workers, so this led to slave trade and auctions. -
Earthquake in Jamaica
This earthquake rated at 7.5 killed 2000 people, 3000 died in the days after due to injury and sickness. The majority of the damage happened in Jamaica's unofficial capital, Port Royal, it was completely destroyed. Shortly after, Kingston was declared the new capital. -
Slavery Abolished
The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, although the act was in 1833, there were many restrictions. Slavery was fully abolished five years after the act in Jamaica. -
Morant Bay Rebellion
After a black man was taken out of court wrongfully, there was a riot and days later Paul Bogle led two hundred to three hundred black men in to Moratn Bay. There were large amounts of debate in Britain after this event. -
Bananas over Sugar
The sugar cane industry was starting do decline, around this time jamaica starts to have many banana plantations. And since slavery was abolished there are paid workers. -
New Constitution
This constitution enforced the abolishment of slavery. It restated most of the constitution of 1966. -
Jamaican Independence
Jamaica gains independence from Britan, although it's still part of the british commonwealth. Alexander Bustamante is elected prim minister.
