The History of Trinidad and Tobago
Ethnic Makeup
The ethnic makeup of the people in Trinidad and Tobago is mostly made up of two dominating groups. These are firstly made up of the descendants of the black slaves that worked at cotton and sugar fields from the 18th century. They are secondly made up of the Indo-Trinidadians. Also known as the East Indians, they were workers who immigrated from India as plantation workers after the abolition of slavery in the mid-19th century. The third largest group are the mestizos or people that are of mixed Spanish and indigenous descent. The population of Trinidad is almost entirely originating from the Eastern Hemisphere.
Before Columbus
The Banwari Trace in Trinidad, was a place of hunters and gatherers before tribes were formed and were the oldest human settlement in the Caribbean. The people in this settlement were thought to have come there about 7,200 years ago. They migrated from the Orinoco Delta in South America. Before Columbius found Trinidad and Tobago in 1498, the islands were home to the Tainos, the Kalinagos, the Caribs and the Galabies.
After Columbus
After it was found by Columbus, Spain ignored it for many years. In 1552 they appointed a governor over the land. They ruled until 1797 when it was captured by the british. After this it became a colony that made and exported lots of sugar. It was then ruled intermittently by the Dutch, French, and english. In 1888, Trinidad and Tobago were combined into one company and then gained independence from their captors in 1962. For as long as they were independent, they were a democratic government. The founder and president of the People’s National Movement (PNM), Dr. Eric Williams became the first prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. He then unexpectedly died in 1981 and was succeeded as Prime Minister and leader of PNM by George M. Chambers. Due to economic decline though he was replaced by Arthur Napoleon who won favor in the federal house. On July 27, 1990, a group of Black Muslims, who called themselves Jamaat al-Muslimeen, staged a coup attempt against Robinson. The group, which had little support, acted because they thought that Robinson's economic measures had destroyed the country. After it was found by Columbus, Spain ignored it for many years. In 1552 they appointed a governor over the land. They ruled until 1797 when it was captured by the british. After this it became a colony that made and exported lots of sugar. It was then ruled intermittently by the Dutch, French, and english. In 1888, Trinidad and Tobago were combined into one company and then gained independence from their captors in 1962. For as long as they were independent, they were a democratic government. The founder and president of the People’s National Movement (PNM), Dr. Eric Williams became the first prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. He then unexpectedly died in 1981 and was succeeded as Prime Minister and leader of PNM by George M. Chambers. Due to economic decline though he was replaced by Arthur Napoleon who won favor in the federal house. On July 27, 1990, a group of Black Muslims, who called themselves Jamaat al-Muslimeen, staged a coup attempt against Robinson. The group, which had little support, acted because they thought that Robinson's economic measures had destroyed the country.
