jjares reviewed History of the Caribbean: A Captivating Guide to Caribbean History, Starting from Christopher Columbus through the Wars of Religion, Slavery, and ... Present (European Exploration and Settlement) on + 3278 more book reviews
Incredibly, the Caribean Islands include 7000 islands. Early on, these islands were inhabited by the Taino and other indigenous tribes as early as 5000 BCE. Interestingly, these tribes seem to have arrived from South American and West African lands. Surprisingly, the Columbus family has a long history in the Caribbean Islands.
Imagine learning history on the island of Tobago. Various European nations tried to establish colonization on the island, including the Netherlands, England, France, Spain, and Sweden. Tobago changed hands thirty-three times before Great Britain took it over in 1814.
Interestingly, European nations used pirating and privateers to weaken other nations' shipping and trade economies. These quasi-illegal ships found comfortable perch in the islands (to hide between attacks) and ready customers for some of their ill-gotten goods. By the 1600s, piracy was big business. In the 1650s, there was a 'golden age of piracy.' When the (growing in power) British established the 1717 Transportation Act, they cracked down on the rampant piracy, and by 1720, this career choice was coming to an end.
The Caribbean Islands were the backdrop for wars between European nations for three hundred years. They fought over land, trade, and religion. The religious wars taking place in Europe had powerful ramifications in the Caribbean. While European nations were reeling from the wars, more stable countries attacked colonies in the Caribbean. This brought about changes in island ownership. The treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War gave independence to the Netherlands and control of their claims in the Caribbean. This further weakened Spain's authority in the region.
After recounting the bad (and worse) treatment of enslaved people in the Caribbean Islands, the book focuses on the remarkable interplay between these islands and the American and French Revolutions. During the American Revolution, the Leeward islands relied on food imported from British America. There was a disruption of needed supplies due to the war. Twenty percent of Antigua's slave population died of famine. It was surprising that the Napoleonic Wars spilled over into the islands.
The remaining chapters cover revolutions in the Caribbean, the Spanish-American War, dictatorships in the Caribbean, and Cuba before, with, and after Castro. Because of the beautiful scenery and tropical temperatures year-round, the Caribbean is a popular spot for tourists to travel. Although some locals complain about the high crime rate, it is generally safe for tourists. This book offers a quick overview of the history and present conditions in the Caribbean.
Imagine learning history on the island of Tobago. Various European nations tried to establish colonization on the island, including the Netherlands, England, France, Spain, and Sweden. Tobago changed hands thirty-three times before Great Britain took it over in 1814.
Interestingly, European nations used pirating and privateers to weaken other nations' shipping and trade economies. These quasi-illegal ships found comfortable perch in the islands (to hide between attacks) and ready customers for some of their ill-gotten goods. By the 1600s, piracy was big business. In the 1650s, there was a 'golden age of piracy.' When the (growing in power) British established the 1717 Transportation Act, they cracked down on the rampant piracy, and by 1720, this career choice was coming to an end.
The Caribbean Islands were the backdrop for wars between European nations for three hundred years. They fought over land, trade, and religion. The religious wars taking place in Europe had powerful ramifications in the Caribbean. While European nations were reeling from the wars, more stable countries attacked colonies in the Caribbean. This brought about changes in island ownership. The treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War gave independence to the Netherlands and control of their claims in the Caribbean. This further weakened Spain's authority in the region.
After recounting the bad (and worse) treatment of enslaved people in the Caribbean Islands, the book focuses on the remarkable interplay between these islands and the American and French Revolutions. During the American Revolution, the Leeward islands relied on food imported from British America. There was a disruption of needed supplies due to the war. Twenty percent of Antigua's slave population died of famine. It was surprising that the Napoleonic Wars spilled over into the islands.
The remaining chapters cover revolutions in the Caribbean, the Spanish-American War, dictatorships in the Caribbean, and Cuba before, with, and after Castro. Because of the beautiful scenery and tropical temperatures year-round, the Caribbean is a popular spot for tourists to travel. Although some locals complain about the high crime rate, it is generally safe for tourists. This book offers a quick overview of the history and present conditions in the Caribbean.
