Jamaican History and Dictatorships in Latin America

The History of Jamaica

• 1509: Jamaica occupied by Spaniards under a license from Columbus's son; indigenous Arawak community suffers due to European diseases.

  • African slaves introduced for labor on sugar plantations.

• 1655: Jamaica is captured by the British.

• 1670: Treaty of Madrid cedes Jamaica to Britain.

• 1692: Port Royal, a major trading center, devastated by an earthquake; it is rebuilt after 5 years.

• 1838: Slavery abolished in Jamaica; land grants established for freed slaves, facing resistance from the upper classes.

  • Emergence of a black Jamaican middle class.

• 1865: British suppress the Morant Bay rebellion, resulting in Jamaica becoming a crown colony after abrogating local legislative powers.

• 1870: Establishment of banana plantations; decline of sugar cane industry amid competition from Brazilian beet sugar.

• 1884: Introduction of a new constitution to revive local autonomy.

• 1938: Riots due to unemployment; People's National Party (PNP) established by Norman Manley.

• 1944: Universal adult suffrage introduced; new constitution permits the election of a House of Representatives.

• 1958: Jamaica joins the British-sponsored Federation of the West Indies.

• 1961: Jamaica withdraws from the Federation.

• 1962: Independence achieved within the British Commonwealth; Alexander Bustamante of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) becomes prime minister.

• 1972: Michael Manley becomes prime minister; implements policy of economic self-reliance.

• 1976: Elections marked by violence; PNP wins again.

• 1981: Bob Marley, influential cultural icon, passes away.

• 1998-2001: Surge in violent crime; political parties must collaborate to address issues threatening tourism.

• 2002-2022: Significant investment in the University of the West Indies, expanding throughout the Caribbean.

Latin America's Dictatorships

• September 11, 1973: General Augusto Pinochet overthrows the government of Salvador Allende in Chile amid severe economic dissatisfaction; US supports Pinochet's military regime until his exit in 1989.

  • Over 30,000 civilians killed during Pinochet's rule, sparking international outrage.

• March 24, 1976: Generals Jorge Videla and Leopoldo Galtieri lead a brutal military coup in Argentina; thousands are kidnapped, tortured, and killed, particularly during the "Night of the Pencils," targeting students.

  • Nearly 32,000 people killed under the regime, surpassing Pinochet's violence.

• Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) in Peru causes chaos and genocide against Indigenous peoples from 1980-1993, resulting in nearly 24,000 civilian deaths.

  • Supported by China and Russia; decline follows Guzman’s capture.

The Hispanic vs Black Caribbean Comparison

• Governance: All black British Caribbean nations led by a black majority democratically.

• Economic Condition: Black minorities in Hispanic Caribbean nations are often in disadvantaged positions.

• Human Rights Issues: Cuba faced significant human rights violations and anti-homosexual policies from 1959-2000.

• Cuba: Acknowledged for racism despite claims of mestizo identity; historically limited recognition of black contributions.

• Dominican Republic: Example of violent discrimination against dark-skinned individuals.

• Cultural Recognition: Figures like Reynaldo Arenas emphasized the contributions of black culture, facing persecution.

The Contemporary Caribbean Context

• CARICOM: Economic collaboration among countries in the Caribbean; Trinidad & Tobago noted for the best standard of living.

• Migration: Significant Jamaican migration to the US and Mexico due to labor demands.

• Tourism: The main industry; threats posed by crime impact national economies.

• Cultural Influence: Jamaican dominance in music and arts, exemplified by Bob Marley’s legacy.

• Regional Development: There have been efforts to promote gender equality and representation within political systems post-independence.