By time of occurrence of Europeans for islands Indians-kariby lived. Saint Vincent has been open by Christopher Columbus during its third expedition to New Light on January, 28th 1498 in day of St. Vincent, whence there was an island name. More than two centuries kariby furiously resisted to the European colonisation. Guns of coastal Spanish forts have been directed to depth of island as kariby represented for colonists where danger, rather than external enemies.
Throughout 17–18 centuries Saint Vincent alternately passed under the control of France and England. With 1719 Frenchmen have started to grow up there a coffee tree, tobacco, indigo and a cotton. For job on plantations slaves from Africa were delivered. As a result of mixed marriages of the fluent and free slaves with local Indians there was a layer «black karibov».
Englishmen have taken possession for the first time of an island Saint Vincent in 1763, and it became a colony of the Great Britain under the Versailles peace treaty in 1783. In 1796 Englishmen have suppressed revolt black karibov and have banished more than 5 thousand rebels on one of islands at coast of Honduras. In the beginning 19 century in Saint Vincent have appeared sugar cane plantations where slaves worked. After slavery cancellation in English colonies (1834) on islands as a labour emigrants from India and Portugal were involved. In 1925 on island the first Legislative Council has been created; in 1951 the general suffrage is entered; to 1969 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have received the status «assotsiirovannogo the states» with the right of complete internal self-management.
The country has found complete independence on October, 27th 1979 according to the constitution produced in September 1978 in London. In 1979 Labour party which has won on parliamentary elections, has generated the government. In 1984 the New democratic party has won, and its leader James Mitchell became the prime minister. This consignment gained victories and on elections 1989, 1994, 1998. On February, 28th 2001 the parliament has been dismissed. A month later preschedule parliamentary elections on which 12 places were received by the Incorporated Labour party (OLP), 3 – New democratic party have taken place. The government has headed and leader OLP Ralf Gonsalves has generated.
On islands the governmental radio-and television service «Neshnl brodkasting korporejshn of Saint Vincent end Grenadins» operates. Some newspapers and journals in English are published. The largest edition – based in 1919 weekly journal "Vinsenshn" (circulation of 5,5 thousand copy). The oldest edition – the governmental newspaper «Gavernment gazett» (it is based in 1868). The Publication of New democratic party – "Nju-Tajms", and the Incorporated Labour party – "JUniti".
