To the extremity 15 century the island has been occupied by American Indian tribes of Arawaks which have moved on antily from the South America. The people taino which attended motyzhnym to agriculture, hunting, fishery, the tax of wild berries and foetuses were most numerous of them. Taino grew up corn, jams, a potato, tobacco, etc. cultures. They repeatedly rejected pressure of aggressive Indians of Caribbean Islands making destructive attacks from Small Antil. In total on island lived St. 100 thousand Indians. They named it "Hajmaka" – «the earth of springs».
On May, 3rd 1494 Jamaica has been open Christopher Columbus's by Spanish expedition. In 1503 Columbus has suffered ship-wreck about coast of island and has been compelled to spend on him of more year. The seafarer hardly managed to prevent an attack taino, having intimidated their solar eclipse. In 1506 Jamaica it has been officially given by the Spanish crown Columbus's to family, but in further its representatives have refused possession in exchange for a title and lifelong pension.
The Spanish colonisation has begun in 1508. Island the governor quoted as the king controlled. Jamaica has been switched on in structure general Cuba. Spanish poselentsy have seized the processed earths and have subordinated Indians, having forced them to work on itself. Colonisation passed slowly. Spaniards grew up tobacco, indigo, cocoa, a sugar cane, oranges, lemons, lajm and other fruit, have delivered horses, horned livestock, poultry, pigs, goats, etc. the First centre of island – Seville-Nueva was at northern coast, but the district has appeared unhealthy and in 1534 capital has been transferred in Vila-de-la-Vega (nowadays the Spanish-town). Enslaved Indians fast died out (in 1611 in live remained 74 taino), and with 1513–1517 colonizers began to import the African slaves for job on plantations.
In May of 1655 island the seven-thousandth English landing led by admiral William Pan and general Robert Vineblom has taken possession, the local Spanish home guard was handed over, and the administration ran to Cuba. The new authorities have allowed pirates to arrange base in the Port-grand piano for struggle against Spain. In 1657–1658 Englishmen have crushed the Spanish fleet and have reflected attempts of Spaniards again to return itself island. In 1661 there has been begun English colonisation of island. In 1670, under the peace treaty in Madrid, Spain has officially conceded Jamaica to England in exchange for the promise to finish a piracy in West Indies. Former pirate Henry Morgan nominated as the time governor has ordered to hang up for a piracy. But the Port-grand piano in which oofs of West Indies were flown down, prospered to 1692, has not been destroyed yet by earthquake. The English administration has taken places in the Spanish-town, and later – in the Valve.
In 1662 king Charles II granted to Jamaica the constitution. Island the British governor at whom the elective Assembly has been created controlled. Fast developed a slave-trade and plantatsionnoe an economy. The sugar cane became a monoculture of the island which have turned to 18 century in the leading supplier of raw sugar on the world market and in one of the largest centres of trade by slaves in West Indies. In 18 century to island delivered 700 thousand slaves from Africa. To the beginning 19 century on Jamaica lived 19 thousand white and 300 thousand African slaves. Besides last to island delivered the Irish banished by Cromwell, and criminals from Scotland, etc. After 1721 Englishmen coffee began to grow up tramps also.
Slaves rendered fierce resistance. From the middle 17 century prior to the beginning of 19 century on island have occurred the St. 30 revolts severely suppressed by the British armies. Leaving island, Spaniards have released a part of the African slaves which have created independent communities in internal mountain districts and have led guerrilla struggle against new colonizers. Later the slaves running from plantations joined them. Retaliatory expeditions had no success. In 1739 colonial power have been compelled to conclude the world with marunami, to recognise their autonomy in exchange for the obligation to help with search of fluent slaves. However in 1785 maruny again have lifted revolt, but to 1790 British authorities it was possible to win by means of mercenaries – «hunters behind slaves» from Cuba. 1,5 thousand marunov have been taken prisoner, 600 from them are sent from island. Descendants not participating in revolt live till now on Jamaica.
In the beginning 19 century occur again lifting of movement of slaves: plots and performances took place in 1806, 1808, 1809 и1815. In 1823–1824 revolt has flashed, and in 1831–1832 in northern and western parts of island has risen from 20 to 50 thousand persons. Continuous revolts and growing disadvantage of a slave labour has induced the British authorities to go on its gradual cancellation. In 1807 the slave-trade in colonies of the Great Britain has been forbidden. In 1833 Assembly of Jamaica has confirmed the law on the slavery cancellation, accepted by the British parliament, and since August, 1st of 1834 St. 225 thousand slaves have been released (to 1838 remained under the power of the former owners). Simultaneously in 1839 British government tried to cancel the constitution of Jamaica, but the corresponding administration bill has been rejected. In 1854 along with Advice at the governor have been created Secret and Executive advice (something in a government sort, first of all with authorities in sphere of the finance). To 1864 from 500 thousand inhabitants suffrages used only less than 2 thousand
After remission the significant part of the former slaves has left from plantations in this connection Saccharum production in 1838–1842 was cut by half. Have arisen ten thousand fine country economy, poor men-Africans became izdolshchikami, leasers and migrant workers who had to work in serious, is frequent enslaving conditions. With 1844 delivery of farm workers from India (within 60 years it has been brought 30 thousand Indians, from which 10 thousand have come back home) and China has begun.
Life and work difficult conditions have called in October 1865 large revolt of the Negro population in Morant-Bee under the guidance of George Gordona and Poll Bogla. The British governor has entered the martial law and has severely suppressed revolt. Hundreds persons have been shot without court, 330 are executed, St. 600 are punished by a whip and awarded to imprisonment, St. 1 thousand houses have been burnt. The special commission nominated as the British government, has displaced the governor. In 1866–1869 the power of white elite has been a little limited; the island has been transformed into a colony with Legislative and Secret advices. Being afraid of new excitements, the colonial authorities have created police service, county courts, etc. About 1884 part of members of the Legislative Council was selected. To 1930 majority in power representative bodies the members who had the African or admixed parentage made already.
In the end of 19 century sugar cane production largely tested recession, and diffusion has received cultivation of bananas. Country economy attended to their production. From the extremity of 1870 bananas have won first place in export of Jamaica. To the beginning of 20 centuries the large part banana and a significant part of sugar plantations have appeared in arms of the American company «JUnajted frut». In 1908 there were first trade unions.
The population of Jamaica fast grew. About 19 century mass emigration to Central America – on banana plantations, building of Panama canal and railways, on plantations of a sugar cane of Cuba and Haiti, and also to the USA and the Great Britain has begun. To 1930 emigration it was hardly reduced, and many emigrants began to return home.
Strong injury to island economy have put the earthquake which has blasted the Valve in 1907 and destructive hurricanes 1912, 1916, 1917, 1935, 1939, 1943 and 1944.
During the period after the First World War on Jamaica social movement began to grow. A number of branch trade unions has been created (1919, 1926), there have passed strikes transportnikov (1919, 1923) and dockers (1929). The Economic crisis 1930 has called world recession and sugar industry crash. In 1936–1937 there were new branch trade unions, there were strikes. Ideas of the nationalism which ideologists were Markus Garvi, etc. calling for revival of the African traditions and originality extended, opposed white colonialism. In 1938 on island the wave of revolts and the collisions accompanied by bloodshed has swept. The governmental commission nominated for investigation of the reasons of public disorders on Jamaica, recommended «the new approach» to management of a colony. The British government has created financial fund for economic development of island and has by degrees restored there the government. In September 1938 British power have cancelled restrictions on activity of trade unions and have allowed creation of political parties. The left National national consignment (NNP) has been the same year formed, in 1943 there was a Labour party of Jamaica (LPJA); both have been bound to trade-union movement. In the Second World War of the USA by agreement with the Great Britain have created on island a military base.
In 1944 Jamaica has received the new constitution establishing the elective House of Representatives and entering the general suffrage. A victory on elections has gained LPJA, and in 1953 leader of labourites Alexander Bustamante became the first main minister of Jamaica. In 1954 its government has suppressed with application of armies strike of 30 thousand workers of a sugar industry.
In 1955 to the power has come left NNP. Government Normana Menli followed a moderate policy. In 1958 Jamaica was a part of Vest-Indsky federation, and in 1959 has received internal self-management. However insufficient representation of Jamaica in federation organs (its population made half of population of federation, but the island has received all third of places) displeased jamajtsev. In September 1961 on Jamaica the referendum has been held, and the majority of participants has voted for an exit from federation. In August 1962 island has received independence.
Elections in 1962 have brought a victory oppositional LPJA, and Alexander Bustamante became the prime minister of independent Jamaica. The government pursued a policy of wide attraction of foreign business, especially in working out of bauxites. In the beginning 1963 office has accepted a number of decrees and the laws, called to stimulate the investment in various branches of economy; the new enterprises were released of the profitable tax for a period of 10 years, and the enterprise in a countryside – for longer term. The central place in the five years' plan of economic development on 1963–1968 was taken by agriculture problems, but serious agrarian transformations has not been made. In 1963 government has entered into the agreement with the USA about military and an eaid. The largest enterprises and banks were in the property of the American companies.
Successors Bustamante on a post of the prime minister – Donald Sangster (1967) and Hju SHirer (1967–1972) continued a former political policy. But to supply to itself a victory on elections 1967, labourites have put forward the program of development of all sectors of economic activity, improvements of social settings of a life of the population and an establishment of relations with all countries. Governments LPJA have undertaken active steps on strengthening and expansion of trade and economic ties with the USA, Canada, the countries of Latin America, Asia and Africa.
For 10 years of board of labourites the country has achieved certain successes. Gross national product volume was enlarged in 1,5 times. Industrial enterprises have been constructed, trade has extended. But the foreign debt of Jamaica grew also. Constant excitements deprived, strikes and protests of workers did a political situation rather astable. The authorities declared state of emergency and entered military sectionings into various parts of the country.
Growing discontent of the population has used oppositional NNP, acted with the program of "democratic socialism». Having won on parliamentary elections 1972, NNP has generated the government led by Michael Menli. It has taken vigorous measures for the purpose to achieve economy stabilisation: has established the control over monetary operations, has limited leakage of capitals abroad, has frozen the prices and has created the special commission for studying of position in the mining industry. Office Menli has started nationalisation of private (especially foreign) companies in the field of bus service (1974), services (1975), telephone service (1975), of some hotels. In 1974 profits tax of the American and Canadian firms conducting workings out of bauxites has been increased, in 1976 government has redeemed a part of capitals of the American aluminium company. The state control over 5 of 12 large sugar factories has been established. In 1977 power have created the State foreign trade corporation.
In the field of agriculture the repayment of the empty ground areas at private persons and their distribution among workers was carried out. For this purpose new large loans abroad have been made, that has worsened a country financial position. In 1977 parliament has granted thousand peasants of the property right to the earth leased by them. In rural districts for the state bill the high system extended, there was a system energo - and water supply. With 1974 process of creation of co-operative farms on the redeemed earths was developed.
In social sphere government NNP could reduce considerably illiteracy in the country, has constructed St. 100 new schools, has entered free school and the higher education, has passed the law on motherhood, has established a scale of minimum wages, has constructed 40 thousand dwellings for poor families, subsidised the prices for stand products of a food, consumption and transportation services. In foreign policy office Menli has cancelled an interdiction for importation of the literature from the countries of the Soviet block, has established diplomatic relations with Cuba (1972) and the USSR (1975), began to act with anti-war and antiimperialistic applications and actively participated in non-alignment movement.
In 1976 NNP again has won on parliamentary elections. But soon economic difficulties of Jamaica began to accrue. Demand for bauxites has taken plunge, their production has fallen, foreign firms closed aluminous factories, and foreign banks in 1976 have suspended issue of credits to Jamaica. Outflow of foreign capitals has begun. In 3 times (to 1,6 bln. dollars) The external bond debt has grown. Incomes of drop tourism. Deficiency of foreign trade, augmentation of costs at petroleum purchase, closing of many fine private enterprises and unemployment growth, a currency shortage for merchandise imports of the first necessity have induced the government to conclude in 1978 agreement from IMF. Devaluation of the Jamaican currency, pay rise restriction, foreign trade liberalisation, bullish demonstration and the further aggravation of a financial position of the population became result. In 1979 LPJA and trade unions supervised by them have organised a general strike which was accompanied by street collisions and bloodshed. A substantial damage to agriculture have put flooding 1979 and hurricane "Allen" 1980. In 1980 government Menli it has been compelled to reject new requests of IMF about reduction of jobs in public sector and cancellation of grants for maintenance of fixed prices.
Having lost support of many urban and rural workers, NNP has suffered serious defeat in an election 1980. They were accompanied by numerous collisions and acts of violence. Labourites widely supported and the administration of the USA led by Ronald Reagan financed. Government LPJA led by prime minister Siagoj has sharply reduced sharing of the state in economy and has headed for partnership about IMF and the USA. In 1981 relations with Cuba have been broken off; in 1983 Jamaica has supported the American intrusion to Grenada. The new agreement from IMF provided pay freeze, reduction of public sector and sale of government facilities, wide attraction of the foreign capital. These measures have led to some improvement of economic indicators, but could not solve structural problems of an economy of the country and have called a considerable increase of unemployment and social trouble. Costs for social programs have been cut down. In 1982–1984 large strikes of workers boksitovoj, cement, a sugar industry, farm workers flashed. The authorities have taken under the mass media control, curtailed the rights of trade unions and regularly dispersed oppositional demonstrations. In 1983 labour government has spent preschedule parliamentary elections, having refused to update service records, and NNP boycotted them. The actual establishment of an one-party regimen became result. In the country revolts, protests and collisions between supporters of the government and opposition flashed.
On a wave of wide discontent with a policy of labourites NNP has gained a resolute victory on elections 1989. It has proclaimed the problems reduction of the huge external bond debt, settlement of relations from IMF, restoration of a social infrastructure and improvement of position in agriculture, first of all at the expense of creation of fine co-operative societies. The new government led by M.Menli is not has gone on rupture with neoliberal policy LPJA. Office NNP has accepted IMF conditions.
In March 1992 Menli has sent in the resignation on a state of health and the prime minister became Persival Patterson – the first African on this post. In 1993 NNP again has won on parliamentary elections which were accompanied by opposition protests. After that the authorities, political parties and committee of observation over elections have tried to produce electoral reform principles, but in this question only limited success has been reached. In December 1997 NNP has again won elections. Active workers of social movements and the international observers managed to reduce this time usual for election campaigns violence scales. In October 2002 NNP has won elections in fourth time successively. Social groups (Civil action for free and fair elections, etc.), foreign observers and Carter's Center promoted their rather peace realisation.
Difficult economic conditions continue to call intensity in company. One of poverty consequences is the criminality high level, including traffic in drugs. In 2004 government has faced serious problems, trying to contain growth of the State expenditure to continue payment of the external bond debt and to overcome criminality which interferes with economic development of the country. Government Pattersona tries to spend independent foreign policy. So, in 2004 Jamaica (along with Sent-Kittsom-Nevisom and Venezuela) has refused to recognise provisional government of Haiti led by Gerard Latortju, come to power after overthrow of president Aristida which has accused of the discharge of the USA and France. Patterson has offered Aristidu a time refuge on Jamaica.
