Unit I – History of Jamaica  

(a)  The first Jamaicans – The Tainos

Method of Arrival 

Lifestyle

Politics and Religion

Economic and Social lifestyle 

Points to Consider: They had…

Political organization

Religion

Language

Settlement (Villages

Commerce/Occupation

Culture (music/Dance/Games

(b)   The Taino/European Encounter 

ResourceReview Poem: There was an Indian – John Squire

                           Consequences of the Encounter 

Extinction

Suicide (Drinking cassava water

Infanticide

European diseases

Overwork

Deflection (Hills of Jamaica and other islands

(c)   Taino influence on Jamaica and the World

     Sculpture

Food (bammy, barbecue, potato , Pineapple , Naseberry)

Smoking (Tobacco)

Use of Hammocks, Thatched roof houses /Huts

Words – Xaymaca (Jamaica) Canoes 

Arrival of the Spanish in Jamaica 

Subtopics: 

Factors which led to the voyages of Christopher Columbus 

 The renaissance (ship building, Cartography )

 Wars in Europe (Crusades: Christians VS Muslims)

 Need to find alternative route to China and India 

 Spain’s desire to gain new lands and spread Christianity

(King   Ferdinand and Queen Isabella

Columbus arrives in the New World

 Columbus arrival in Santa Gloria (St. Ann’s bay)

 Early Spanish settlements (Sevilla la Nueva, St. Jago de la Vega)

 The Encomienda System (Form of slavery-where Indians work for Spanish who in turn should protect and Christianize them)

 Main activities of the Spanish in Jamaica – cattle farmers, Exporters of lard , sugar production –introduction of African after extinction of Tainos)

Spanish influences on Jamaica and the World

 Place Names : Oracabessa, Savanna la Mar, Rio Bueno Rio Nuevo Seville,    

St.  Jago del Vega (Spanish Town)

 Rivers – Rio Minho, Ri Grande, Rio Cobre, Martha Brae, Carbarita 

 Mountains: Don Figuero, Santa Cruz, Mt Diablo

 Jamaican Dialect: Champata (Zapato) , Vex (bex)

 Fruits: Citrus, Sugar Cane, Bananas

 Other: Vinegar and Pepper

 Animals: Donkey, Cattle, Horse, Pig, Goat

TOPIC : English Occupation of Jamaica 

Points  to consider

 The Plantocracy

 The Slave Trade

 Slavery

 The fight with the Maroons (Maroon Wars, Treaty)

 Slave Revolts –(Tacky, Samuel Sharp)

The Fight against Slavery

 Activities pf the Abolitionists (William Wilberforce, Thomas Buxton)

 Abolition of the Slave Trade

 Emancipation: Slavery Ends

 Apprenticeship 

 Full Freedom  – (establishment of Free Villages)

 Activities of the Moravians and the Baptists (Free Villages)

 Negro Education Grant 

Events leading to the Morant By Rebellion

 Causes of discontent    – (arrival of indentured labourers from Asia/Europe,    drought, Injustice experienced by Peasants in Court

 Role of Paul Bogle       – (Leading delegation from Stony Gut ot Spanish Town, Leading demonstrations at Court House, Deacon in Gordon’s church 

 Role of George William Gordon  – (Member of Assembly, Large landowner, Founder of Mutual Life Assurance, Founder of a Baptist church in St Thomas)

 Consequences of the Morant Baby Rebellion – Crown Colony Government

-New Governor – Sir Petr Grant (Reduction in the number of Parishes, establishment of the local police force)

The System of Indenture ship

 People Who Came: East Indians, Chinese, Germans, British, Scots and Welsh

1. a)  Heroes in the Fight for Freedom

 Nanny – Queen of the Maroons 

 Samuel Sharpe – Fought Against Slavery

 George William Gordon -Advocate of the Poor

 Paul Bogle – Champion of the Poor

 Marcus Garvey – Black Pride

1. b) Heroes of the New Jamaica

 Sir. Alexander Bustamante    – Trade Unionist and Politician

 Norman Washington Manley – The Lawyer

Pre Independent Jamaica 

 Universal Adult Suffrage

 West Indies Federation

 Independence 

The National Symbols and Emblems

Granted to Jamaica in 1660 by Britain:

 The Coat of Arms (Features: Arms, Shield,  Crest, Motto) First Motto: Indus Uterque Serviet Uni; Indians Twain Shall Serve One Lord; Changed for Independence August 6, 1962 to OUT OF MANY, ONE PEOPLE

Granted to Jamaica at Independence:

 The National Flag (Design and Colours; Black – People, Green – Vegetation, Gold — Sunshine)

 The National Tree (The Blue Mahoe – Indigenous to Jamaica)

 The National Fruit ( Ackee – brought from West Africa)

 The National Bird (The Doctor Bird – Indigenous and Endemic to Jamaica)

 The National Flower (The flower of the Lignum Vitae Latin for  A Tree of Life –  Indigenous to Jamaica)

 The National Dish ( Ackee & Salt Fish)

 The National Costume/Fabric: Bandana

 The National Anthem (Prayer : Written by Rev. Hugh Sherlock , Words by Hon Robert Lightbourne)